He was Minister of the Budget in Berlusconi I Cabinet in 1994, "President of Padania" in 1996 and floor leader of Lega Nord in the Chamber of Deputies from 1999 to 2001.

Before joining the League, Pagliarini worked as accountant and was close to the Radical Party, for its battle in favour of divorce.

He was known as maverick politician and, prior to leaving Lega Nord, often criticized the line imposed by Umberto Bossi.

On 19 January 2007 Pagliarini, who was not candidate for re-election in the 2006 general election, finally left Lega Nord[citation needed].

On 18 January 2008 he unexpectedly joined The Right of Francesco Storace[1] and then was candidated in Lombardy in the 2008 general election, despite declaring to be remained "leghista nell'anima e nella mente" (leaguist in the soul and the mind).