Italy's Northern League founder to run for party secretary

ROME, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Italy's anti-immigration Northern League founder Umberto Bossi said Monday he will run for party secretary in December.

If successful, Bossi, who resigned last year under the cloud of a corruption scandal, would replace Roberto Maroni, governor of the Lombardy region in northern Italian region, ANSA reported.

"I'm glad he's running," Maroni said. "Anyone can participate. No games this time -- the secretary is getting elected by the rank and file."

Bossi led the Northern League until a corruption scandal over the alleged channeling of millions of dollars of public monies into private accounts forced him out last year.