| The People of Freedom | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Leader | Silvio Berlusconi |
| Founded | 18 November 2007 |
| Headquarters | not yet decided |
| Newspaper | Il Giornale della Libertà |
| Membership | unknown |
| Ideology | Liberal conservatism1 with Christian-democratic, liberal, national-conservative and social-democratic factions |
| International | not yet decided |
| European party | not yet decided |
| European Parliament Group | not yet decided |
| Website | http://www.ilpopolodellaliberta.it |
The People of Freedom (Il Popolo della Libertà, PdL) is a liberal-conservative1 Italian political party. In coalition with Lega Nord and the Movement for Autonomy, it currently forms Italy's government. The party was launched by Silvio Berlusconi on 18 November 2007 and its official foundation is expected to be in the beginning of 2009, after that all the parties which intend to merge into it would have been formally dissolved. On 18 September the Constituent Committee of the party held its first meeting in Rome.2
Contents |
History
Background
Following the run-up to the 2006 general election there had been talk among the components of the House of Freedoms regarding a possible merger into a "united party of moderates and reformers". Forza Italia (FI), the National Alliance (AN) and the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats (UDC) all seemed interested in the project. Soon after the election, however, UDC leader Pier Ferdinando Casini started to distance his party from its historical allies. Lega Nord (LN) showed no interest in the idea, because it wanted to retain its role as a regional party.
On 2 December 2006, during a major demonstration of the centre-right in Rome against the government of Romano Prodi, Silvio Berlusconi proposed the foundation of a "Freedom Party", stressing that voters of the different parties were all part of a "people of freedom".
On 21 August 2007 Michela Vittoria Brambilla, Berlusconi's protégé and President of the Circles of Freedom, registered the name and symbol of the new party on Berlusconi's behalf. At that time, none of Berlusconi's allies seemed keen on joining the new party; it was also not yet absolutely clear when Forza Italia would be dismantled to merge into the new party. Berlusconi also claimed that one of the aims of the creation of a Freedom Party would be to enlarge the House of Freedoms alliance.3
Formation
On 18 November 2007, Berlusconi announced having collected the signatures of more than 7 million Italians (including supporters of Umberto Bossi's Lega Nord) against Romano Prodi's government, which he used to demostrate the nation's ill-will towards that government while demanding a fresh election. Berlusconi show «Forza Italia addio Nuovo partito»</ref> The new party's definitive name was chosen in an open primary election on 1-2 December 2007 between "People of Freedom" (Popolo della Libertà) and "Freedom Party" (Partito della Libertà).4 Also an online poll on Forza Italia's website was launched 5, but there was no official statement from PdL about the fate of the online votes.
At that time, the fate of Forza Italia as a party remained unclear. It was thought that the new party's core would consist of Forza Italia, the Circles of Freedom and the Circles of Good Government, while some minor parties of the House of Freedoms, including the Christian Democracy for the Autonomies6, the New Italian Socialist Party7, the Pensioners' Party8, the Liberal Reformers9, Decide!10 and Italians in the World11 were likely to join. Carlo Giovanardi, leader of the Liberal Popular faction within UDC, which favoured closer relations with Berlusconi, stated that the UDC should dissolve and become part of the new party.1213 However, on 27 November Giovanardi announced that he would definitely join the new party with or without the entire UDC. 14 and he finally did this on 4 February 2008.15
Gianfranco Fini made very critical statements in the days after Berlusconi's announcement, declaring the end of his support for Berlusconi as candidate for Prime Minister and that National Alliance would not join the new party.1617 Also Pier Ferdinando Casini, UDC leader, criticized from the beginning the idea.
2008 general election
After the sudden fall of Romano Prodi's government on 24 January 2008, the break-up of The Union coalition and the subsequent political crisis which lead to a fresh election, Berlusconi hinted on 25 January that Forza Italia would probably contest its last election, and that the new party would be founded officially only after that election. In an atmosphere of reconciliation with Gianfranco Fini, Berlusconi also stated that the new party could see the participation of other parties.18 Finally, on 8 February, Berlusconi and Fini agreed to form a joint list under the banner of "The People of Freedom", allied with Lega Nord.19
Among the several parties and groups which decided to join the PdL were: Forza Italia, National Alliance, the Freedom Circles, the Circles of Good Government, the Liberal Populars20, Christian Democracy for the Autonomies21, the Pensioners' Party, the Liberal Reformers22, the Italian Republican Party, the New Italian Socialist Party, the Liberal Democrats23, Decide!24, Italians in the World, Social Action25 and the Reformist Socialists26. UDC was also invited to join, but its leaders refused to do so.27 The Right also refused to join PdL.
In the general election PdL won 37.4% of the vote, getting elected 276 deputies and 146 senators, and became the Italian largest party. PdL was also the the first party since Christian Democracy in 1979 to surpass the 35% of the national vote.
In September 2008 a Constituent Committee was formed. It was composed by (number of members)28:
- Forza Italia (64), including:
- National Alliance (33)
- Christian Democracy for the Autonomies (3)
- Liberal Populars (3)
- New Italian Socialist Party (2)
- Italian Republican Party (1)
- Liberal Reformers (1)
- ex-Liberal Democrats (1)
- Christian Democracy (1)
- Federation of Christian Populars (1)
- Pensioners' Party (1)
- Italians in the World (1)
- Libertarian Right (1)
- Social Action (1)
Factions
Although the actual factional divide in the party is not yet clear, it is possible to identify some ideologically-distinct groups:
- Christian democrats: the core of the former Forza Italia plus some minor groups (Network Italy, Scajoliani, local groups, Christian Democracy for the Autonomies, Liberal Populars, Christian Reformists, Catholic Right, Federation of Christian Populars).
- Liberal conservatives: the core of the most liberal factions of the former National Alliance (New Alliance, Protagonist Right).
- Liberals: the liberal factions of the former Forza Italia plus some minor groups (The Liberal Part, Popular Liberalism, Liberal Reformers, Decide!).
- Liberal-centrists: various groups which preside the political centre of the party (Dellutriani, Tremontiani, Magna Carta).
- Social democrats: the social-democrats of the former Forza Italia plus some minor groups (We Blue Reformers, Free Foundation, Young Italy, Circles of Reformist Initiative, New Italian Socialist Party, Reformist Socialists).
- National conservatives: the right-wing of the former National Alliance plus some minor groups (Social Right, Social Action).
- Grassroots: centre-right clubs autonomous from any former party, but generally close to Forza Italia (Circles of Freedom, Circles of Good Government).
Popular support
The People of Freedom has its strongholds in Northern Italy, especially Lombardy and Veneto, and in some regions of the South, notably Sicily and Apulia. Despite this, in the 2008 general election, the party was fairly stronger in the South, where there are more swing voters, than in the North, due to the big win of Lega Nord, which scored 27.1% in Veneto, 21.6% in Lombardy and 12.6% in Piedmont. In this respect the region where PdL scored best is Campania, with a surprising 49.1% in a traditionally centre-left region.
The electoral results of the People of Freedom in the 10 most populated Regions of Italy are shown in the table below. As PdL was launched in 2007, the electoral results from 1994 to 2006 refer to the combined result of the two main percursor parties, Forza Italia and National Alliance.
| 1994 general | 1995 regional | 1996 general | 1999 European | 2000 regional | 2001 general | 2004 European | 2005 regional | 2006 general | 2008 general | |
| Piedmont | 34.8 | 37.9 | 33.8 | 36.8 | 42.7 | 41.2 | 31.0 | 31.9 | 35.8 | 34.3 |
| Lombardy | 31.8 | 39.5 | 32.6 | 36.5 | 43.6 | 40.9 | 32.9 | 34.7 | 37.3 | 33.5 |
| Veneto | 31.4 | 34.7 | 28.8 | 34.3 | 40.2 | 40.5 | 33.6 | 30.8 | 35.8 | 27.4 |
| Emilia-Romagna | 25.5 | 28.5 | 26.6 | 29.0 | 32.6 | 33.5 | 28.2 | 27.1 | 28.8 | 28.6 |
| Tuscany | 27.3 | 32.2 | 30.1 | 30.4 | 35.2 | 34.7 | 28.7 | 27.9 | 29.5 | 31.6 |
| Lazio | 45.8 | 43.5 | 45.0 | 40.9 | 44.6 | 46.8 | 35.9 | 39.3 | 40.0 | 43.5 |
| Campania | 40.2 | 37.2 | 42.1 | 35.9 | 32.1 | 46.9 | 32.7 | 22.5 | 39.8 | 49.1 |
| Apulia | 27.329 | 41.1 | 42.5 | 40.7 | 44.2 | 45.4 | 36.4 | 38.9 | 40.5 | 45.6 |
| Calabria | 36.2 | 36.0 | 41.7 | 31.6 | 28.7 | 40.9 | 28.5 | 19.9 | 31.7 | 41.2 |
| Sicily | 47.6 | 31.2 (1996) | 48.6 | 38.9 | 36.4 (2001) | 47.4 | 36.0 | 29.8 (2001) | 40.0 | 46.6 |
| ITALY | 34.5 | - | 35.8 | 35.5 | - | 41.1 | 32.3 | - | 36.0 | 37.4 |
Leadership
- Party Leader in the Chamber of Deputies: Fabrizio Cicchitto (2008–...)
- Party Leader in the Senate: Maurizio Gasparri (2008–...)
References
- ^ a b Parties and Elections in Europe
- ^ http://iltempo.ilsole24ore.com/adnkronos/?q=YToxOntzOjEyOiJ4bWxfZmlsZW5hbWUiO3M6MjE6IkFETjIwMDgwOTE3MTE0MTAwLnhtbCI7fQ==
- ^ Berlusconi Protegee Sets Up Liberty Party
- ^ IOL: Berlusconi names his fledgling party
- ^ Panorama: gli elettori di Berlusconi decidono on line tra popolo e partito
- ^ | | ALICE Notizie
- ^ √ Partito Socialista Nuovo Psi - » Apc-Berlusconi/ Caldoro: Nuovo Psi Pronto A Processo Unitario
- ^ «Alleati, vi voglio un mare di bene». Corriere della Sera
- ^ Riformatori Liberali » CdL: Della Vedova, Impossibile riformare il sistema politico senza o contro Berlusconi
- ^ http://www.decidere.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=413&Itemid=1
- ^ Il Blog di Sergio De Gregorio » Blog Archive » Partito delle libertà , De Gregorio: InM parteciperà a fase costituente
- ^ http://www.agi.it/italy/news/200711191442-pol-ren0046-art.html
- ^ L'Udc si spacca sull'idea di Berlusconi. Corriere della Sera
- ^ http://www.carlogiovanardi.it/immagini/gio27no.pdf
- ^ Giovanardi lascia l'Udc per il Pdl Corriere della Sera
- ^ http://www.agi.it/italy/news/200711202017-pol-ren0100-art.html
- ^ Key Berlusconi ally says he won't enter former premier's new party - International Herald Tribune
- ^ «Via l'Ici e stretta sulle intercettazioni» Corriere della Sera
- ^ Svolta di Berlusconi, arriva il Pdl: "Forza Italia-An sotto stesso simbolo" - LASTAMPA.it
- ^ Carlo Giovanardi - Pdl: Giovanardi, Aderiamo A Progetto Berlusconi
- ^ http://www.agi.it/ultime-notizie-page/200802081045-pol-rom1039-art.html
- ^ Riformatori Liberali » Popolo delle Libertà: Della Vedova, Pieno sostegno a progetto Berlusconi. L’adesione dei Riformatori Liberali
- ^ La Repubblica.it » Politica » News
- ^ CAPEZZONE: proposta alla CDL, 10 Decreti legge, serve terapia d'urto - Clandestinoweb: sondaggi politici, elettorali. Il sondaggio politico elettorale che fa opinione
- ^ Alessandra Mussolini: «Convinti nel Pdl» Corriere della Sera
- ^ http://www.socialistiriformisti.com/il%20garofanorosso%20online%20n.44.pdf
- ^ La lista unica spacca il centrodestra Corriere della Sera
- ^ http://www.ilpopolodellaliberta.it/speciali/comitato100.pdf
- ^ Forza Italia failed to present a list and, although most centre-right voters voted for National Alliance, some of them voted for PPI and Patto Segni.
See also
External links
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