A Lefschetz theorem for intersections with projective varieties

Abstract

One version of the classical Lefschetz hyperplane theorem states that for $U \subset \mathbb P^n$ a smooth quasi-projective variety of dimension at least $2$, and $H \cap U$ a general hyperplane section, the resulting map on \'etale fundamental groups $\pi_1(H \cap U) \rightarrow \pi_1(U)$ is surjective. We prove a generalization, replacing the hyperplane by a general $\operatorname{PGL}_{n+1}$-translate of an arbitrary projective variety: If $U \subset \mathbb P^n$ is a normal quasi-projective variety, $X$ is a geometrically irreducible projective variety of dimension at least $n + 1 - \dim U$, and $Y$ is a general $\operatorname{PGL}_{n+1}$-translate of $X$, then the map $\pi_1(Y \cap U) \rightarrow \pi_1(U)$ is surjective.