Politics anywhere is a rule of numbers. The Lega base is in revolt but the revolt is against Berlusconi more than Bossi. The party is based on a cult of the personality and Bossi has neither the health nor the lucidity to continue as a leader. But without him the Lega Nord is likely to implode unless another charismatic imposture is acclaimed leader.

The Lega Nord doubled its votes in the last general elections in 2008 and had this bargaining chip to become disproportionately represented in the Berlusconi government and parliamentary institutions. There's no way the Lega Nord is going to give that up on principals, a mere epiphenomena evoked by any party to lull the faithful.

I think it's just cold calculation. This is the Lega's high point. They'll never again have the clout they now enjoy. With that in mind and the prospects of certain defeat and emargination in the next elections, they might as well get as much as they can out of the present in terms of political dividends and just plain, good old money.