Salvini was looking for more than a symbolic victory in Emilia-Romagna,which has been a left-wing stronghold in post-war Italy with unbroken leftist administrations for 70 years. Hoping to force new national elections,the firebrand former interior minister and deputy prime minister aimed to shake the weak governing coalition in Rome that formed after he failed in grab for power.
Bonaccini claimed victory in a speech to supporters in the regional capital of Bologna,saying the League tried to use the regional campaign"for other ends",but that sticking to topics that mattered to voters - like health care,education,the environment - had prevailed.
"We invite the representatives of the League to pack their bags,"he told the cheering crowd.
Salvini,addressing reporters earlier in Bologna,wasn't ready to concede the contest,but his comments were far from the bluster of recent weeks.
"It is moving that after 70 years in Emilia Romagna there was a race,"Salvini said."Because ever since there were elections in Emilia Romagna,there was no discussion of the electoral returns that went more than three minutes because the game was closed before starting."
In another regional vote,the right-wing coalition won the southern region of Calabria,with more than a 20 per cent margin over the Democrats'candidate. But the new president of Calabria represents Forza Italia,not Salvini's League.