1ST LEAD Italy far-right leader draws applause in town with migrant 'ghetto' By Alvise Armellini, dpa

Rome (dpa) - Italy‘s most vocal anti-immigration politician, Matteo Salvini of the League, drew applause Saturday as he visited a southern Italian town known for hosting a huge migrant "ghetto" that some residents perceive as a threat.Salvini travelled to Rosarno, where an estimated 2,500 migrants live in makeshift camps and work illegally as citrus fruit pickers in a business overseen by the local ‘Ndrangheta mafia."If we manage to get into government, and I will do my best, I can guarantee you a bit more jobs and a bit fewer illegal immigrants," Salvini told cheering supporters at a packed meeting inside a conference hall. He did not visit the migrant camps.The League rode a wave of voter anger over diminished job prospects and an influx of migrants to make big gains in this month‘s parliamentary elections. One of the party‘s central pledges was to expel more than 600,000 failed asylum seekers, and it steadily won over voters with promises to use a "bulldozer" against unwanted foreigners in Italy.Salvini also gave an economic pitch in Rosarno, promising that he would push through tax cuts that would allow farmers to offer better wages, putting an end to the widespread exploitation of labourers in the agricultural sector."I don‘t want us to have any slaves in 2018," Salvini said.In January, after a fire in one of Rosarno‘s camps killed a Nigerian woman, the Doctors for Human Rights charity described the site as "the largest ghetto in Italy."Salvini was speaking as the elected senator for Calabria, the region that forms the tip of Italy‘s boot and includes Rosarno, after his party scored big wins in March 4 general elections.In Rosarno, the League‘s share of the vote jumped to almost 14 per cent, compared to 0.07 per cent at the previous general elections, five years ago.The League‘s success is remarkable, as until recently it depicted Calabrians and other southern Italians as corrupt and work-shy, and wanted the secession of Italy‘s wealthier north.Salvini changed his party‘s name from "Northern League" to "League," dropped its anti-southern Italy stance and adopted a nationalist, eurosceptic and anti-immigration message.The 45-year-old is seeking a nomination as prime minister in a deadlocked political scenario."We are talking to everybody, give us a few days‘ time to allow us to give Italians the government they deserve," he told reporters on Saturday.But neither Salvini‘s right-wing coalition nor the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which also polled strongly, have a parliamentary majority.Several weeks of haggling, also including the losing centre-left Democratic Party, are likely to decide whether Italy will get a new government or hold repeat elections later this year.