The political colour of the lakes
In Lombardy, the Regional Council (elected in 2023) is made up of 22 elected members from Frères d'Italie, 17 elected members from the Democratic Party, 14 elected members from the Northern League, 6 elected members from Forza Italia, 5 elected members from Lombardy Ideal-Liste Fontana, 4 elected members from the Moratti List and 3 elected members from the 5-Star Movement. At their head, Attilio Fontana (League) was once again elected regional president. As the regions are responsible for managing the healthcare system and organizing care, it was Attilio Fontana who managed the Covid-19 crisis from the outset. Italians will remember him as the first politician to wear a mask.
In Veneto, a traditionally Christian and conservative region, the popular Luca Zaia (praised in particular for his handling of the health crisis) of the Northern League has presided over the region since 2010.
The main economic resources
Industry, powered by the Alps' hydroelectric structures, far exceeds the agricultural sector, employing over 40% of the region's working population. Hydroelectric power has been a major factor in the development of the household goods industry around Lake Orta. The textile sector is also highly developed, particularly in Como, which is resisting foreign competition thanks to its competence in research and development. Como is also the capital of the furniture industry. The Brianza region (south of Lake Como) boasts a woodworking tradition dating back to the 19th century. The tertiary sector is the region's main economic driver (80% of the regional economy), with trade, communications, finance (stronghold of Milan) and insurance leading the way. Today, the Net-economy and telecommunications are the priorities for the development of regional economic policy. In agriculture, wine production remains one of the region's main economic sectors, with the vineyards of Franciacorta and the wines of the Verona region and Lake Garda. Less important, however, are olive and citrus cultivation, both of which play their part in the area's economy. As for the province of Varese, it is one of Lombardy's most honey-growing areas: it is home to "Miele Varesino" honey, one of the country's few PDO honey producers.
The place of tourism and its challenges
Tourism has a major influence on the development of the tertiary sector, with 1.3 million tourists visiting the region every year. The region is a magnet for investors, attracting a high-end clientele. However, post-war industrial development led to the construction of numerous factories, particularly between Bergamo and Brescia (along the A4 freeway). A fact strongly deplored by environmental associations who have tried to stop the phenomenon. Franciacorta's entrepreneurs have succeeded in doing just that, transforming land that would otherwise have been used for other purposes into vineyards. Ecotourism, which has been developing over the last ten years or so, is also helping to protect the green landscapes of the lake district and attract a different type of traveller. These self-catering cottages range from farmhouses to castles, and are located off the beaten track and away from other tourist resorts. For smaller budgets, it's even possible to camp on land belonging to the farm. The majority ofagriturismo locations are in Tuscany, Alto Adige, Veneto and Lombardy(www.agriturismo.it). In this move towards greener tourism since summer 2018, the municipality of Limone del Garda boasts one of the most beautiful cycle paths on the Italian Lakes: two kilometers suspended in the void on the mountainside and just above the lake. The eventual aim is for the cycle path to cover 80 km, linking Limone del Garda to Tremosine (by 2024, 24 km had already been built)!
