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{{Infobox_Italian_political_list
{{Infobox_Italian_political_party
| name_english = People of Freedom
| name_english = People of Freedom
| logo = [[Image:PdL Logo.jpg|center|150px]]
| logo = [[Image:PdL Logo.jpg|center|150px]]
| leader =
| leader = [[Silvio Berlusconi]] ([[Forza Italia|FI]])
| leader1_title = President
| leader1_title =
| leader1_name = [[Silvio Berlusconi]] ([[Forza Italia|FI]])
| leader1_name =
| leader2_title = Vice President
| leader2_title =
| leader2_name = [[Gianfranco Fini]] ([[National Alliance (Italy)|AN]])
| leader2_name =
| leader3_title =
| leader3_title =
| leader3_name =
| leader3_name =
Line 13: Line 13:
| foundation = [[18 November]] [[2007]]
| foundation = [[18 November]] [[2007]]
| dissolution =
| dissolution =
| headquarters = ''not yet decided''
| headquarters =
| newspaper = Il Giornale della Libertà
| newspaper = Il Giornale della Libertà
| membership_year=
| membership_year=
| membership = ''unknown''
| membership = ''unknown''
| ideology = [[Christian democracy]],<br>[[Liberalism]], [[Conservatism]],<br>[[Liberal conservatism]]
| ideology = [[Christian democracy]] [[Conservatism]],<br>[[Liberal conservatism]]
| coalition =
| coalition =
| international = ''not yet decided''
| international = ''not yet decided''
| european = [[European People's Party]]
| european =
| europarl = [[European People's Party–European Democrats]]
| europarl = [[European People's Party–European Democrats]]
| website = http://www.ilpopolodellaliberta.it
| website = http://www.ilpopolodellaliberta.it
Line 26: Line 26:
}}
}}


'''People of Freedom''' (''Popolo della Libertà'', PdL) is a [[centre-right]] [[list of political parties in Italy|Italian political party]] which was launched on [[18 November]] [[2007]].<ref name=IHT>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/19/europe/EU-POL-Italy-Politics.php Key Berlusconi ally says he won't enter former premier's new party - International Herald Tribune<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In coalition with the [[Lega Nord]], it now forms Italy's government. The party's official launch had been expected to be towards the end of 2008, but this was brought forward owing to the fall of [[Romano Prodi]]'s [[centre-left]] government early in 2008, after less than two years in office. The new party's provisional name was ''Party of the People of Freedom'' (''Partito del Popolo della Libertà'', PPL), but the alternative names of ''Popolo della Libertà'' and ''Partito della Libertà'' were also suggested. Its definitive name was chosen in a primary election on [[1 December]] and [[2 December]] [[2007]], from between ''People of Freedom'' (''Popolo della Libertà'') and ''Freedom Party'' (''Partito della Libertà'').<ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=nw20071202230647807C696272 IOL: Berlusconi names his fledgling party<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
'''People of Freedom''' (''Popolo della Libertà'', PdL) is a [[centre-right]] [[list of political parties in Italy|Italian political party]] which was launched on [[18 November]] [[2007]].<ref name=IHT>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/19/europe/EU-POL-Italy-Politics.php Key Berlusconi ally says he won't enter former premier's new party - International Herald Tribune<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In coalition with the [[Lega Nord]], it now forms Italy's government. The party's official launch had been expected to be towards the end of 2008, but this was brought forward owing to the fall of [[Romano Prodi]]'s [[centre-left]] government early in 2008, after less than two years in office. The new party's provisional name was ''Party of the People of Freedom'' (''Partito del Popolo della Libertà'', PPL), but the alternative names of ''Popolo della Libertà'' and ''Partito della Libertà'' were also suggested: the sudden fall of Prodi left no time to organize a party, so they had to make just a list (according to the Italian law), whose name obviously could not contain the word "partito" (party).
index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=nw20071202230647807C696272 IOL: Berlusconi names his fledgling party<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


==History==
==History==
Line 32: Line 33:
Following the run-up to the [[Italian general election, 2006|2006 general election]] there had been talk among the components of the [[House of Freedoms]] regarding a possible merger into a "united party of the moderates and reformers". [[Forza Italia]] (FI), the [[National Alliance (Italy)|National Alliance]] (AN) and the [[Union of Christian and Centre Democrats]] (UDC) all seemed interested in the project, even if the UDC leader, [[Pier Ferdinando Casini]], soon began to distance his party from its historical allies. The [[Lega Nord]] (LN) showed no interest in the idea, because it wanted to retain its regionalist identity.
Following the run-up to the [[Italian general election, 2006|2006 general election]] there had been talk among the components of the [[House of Freedoms]] regarding a possible merger into a "united party of the moderates and reformers". [[Forza Italia]] (FI), the [[National Alliance (Italy)|National Alliance]] (AN) and the [[Union of Christian and Centre Democrats]] (UDC) all seemed interested in the project, even if the UDC leader, [[Pier Ferdinando Casini]], soon began to distance his party from its historical allies. The [[Lega Nord]] (LN) showed no interest in the idea, because it wanted to retain its regionalist identity.


On [[2 December]] [[2006]], during a big demonstration of the centre-right in Rome against the [[Prodi II Cabinet|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". From that point onwards, the only main parties interested in the idea were Berlusconi's Forza Italia and the National Alliance. In [[January]] [[2007]], Berlusconi announced that he would prefer AN leader [[Gianfranco Fini]] to become his successor and the future leader of the Freedom Party. This was critically received by his other allies, the UDC and the Lega Nord.<ref>http://www.unita.it/view.asp?IDcontent=63132</ref> The Lega Nord deputy leader, [[Roberto Maroni]], even stated that they would not join the Freedom Party if Fini were to be the leader,<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/26/europe/EU-GEN-Italy-Berlusconis-Future.php Report: Berlusconi indicates Fini as likely successor at helm of conservative bloc - International Herald Tribune<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/administration/afp-news.html?id=070126211518.qc3rl7lc France 24<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> although they had already claimed to be uninterested from the outset.
On [[2 December]] [[2006]], during a demonstration of the centre-right in Rome against the [[Prodi II Cabinet|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". At the beginning, this idea had not success among his allies<ref>http://www.corriere.it/politica/08_febbraio_08/berlusconi_fini_amore_odio_amore_f2734546-d659-11dc-88e3-0003ba99c667.shtml</ref>. In [[January]] [[2007]], Berlusconi announced that he would prefer AN leader [[Gianfranco Fini]] to become his successor and the future leader of the Freedom Party. This was critically received by his other allies, the UDC and the Lega Nord.<ref>http://www.unita.it/view.asp?IDcontent=63132</ref> The Lega Nord deputy leader, [[Roberto Maroni]], even stated that they would not join the Freedom Party if Fini were to be the leader,<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/26/europe/EU-GEN-Italy-Berlusconis-Future.php Report: Berlusconi indicates Fini as likely successor at helm of conservative bloc - International Herald Tribune<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/administration/afp-news.html?id=070126211518.qc3rl7lc France 24<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> although they had already claimed to be uninterested from the outset.


On [[21 August]] 2007, [[Michela Vittoria Brambilla]], a protégé of Berlusconi's, and President of the [[Freedom Circles]], 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 was to enlarge the House of Freedoms alliance.<ref>[http://www.lifeinitaly.com/news/news-detailed.asp?newsid=6352 Berlusconi Protegee Sets Up Liberty Party<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
On [[21 August]] 2007, [[Michela Vittoria Brambilla]], a protégé of Berlusconi's, and President of the [[Freedom Circles]], 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 was to enlarge the House of Freedoms alliance.<ref>[http://www.lifeinitaly.com/news/news-detailed.asp?newsid=6352 Berlusconi Protegee Sets Up Liberty Party<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Revision as of 00:27, 16 April 2008

Template:Infobox Italian political list

People of Freedom (Popolo della Libertà, PdL) is a centre-right Italian political party which was launched on 18 November 2007.[1] In coalition with the Lega Nord, it now forms Italy's government. The party's official launch had been expected to be towards the end of 2008, but this was brought forward owing to the fall of Romano Prodi's centre-left government early in 2008, after less than two years in office. The new party's provisional name was Party of the People of Freedom (Partito del Popolo della Libertà, PPL), but the alternative names of Popolo della Libertà and Partito della Libertà were also suggested: the sudden fall of Prodi left no time to organize a party, so they had to make just a list (according to the Italian law), whose name obviously could not contain the word "partito" (party). index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=nw20071202230647807C696272 IOL: Berlusconi names his fledgling party]</ref>

History

Premises

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 the 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, even if the UDC leader, Pier Ferdinando Casini, soon began to distance his party from its historical allies. The Lega Nord (LN) showed no interest in the idea, because it wanted to retain its regionalist identity.

On 2 December 2006, during a 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". At the beginning, this idea had not success among his allies[2]. In January 2007, Berlusconi announced that he would prefer AN leader Gianfranco Fini to become his successor and the future leader of the Freedom Party. This was critically received by his other allies, the UDC and the Lega Nord.[3] The Lega Nord deputy leader, Roberto Maroni, even stated that they would not join the Freedom Party if Fini were to be the leader,[4][5] although they had already claimed to be uninterested from the outset.

On 21 August 2007, Michela Vittoria Brambilla, a protégé of Berlusconi's, and President of the Freedom Circles, 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 was to enlarge the House of Freedoms alliance.[6]

Announcement

On 18 November 2007, Forza Italia announced having collected the signatures of more than 7 million Italians (including that of Umberto Bossi of the Lega Nord) against Romano Prodi's government, and they asked for fresh elections to be held.[7] Berlusconi announced that Forza Italia would soon merge or transform into the "Party of the People of Freedom".[8][9][10]

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 Freedom Circles and the Circles of Good Government, while some other minor parties of the House of Freedoms, including the Christian Democracy for the Autonomies[11], the New Italian Socialist Party[12], the Pensioners' Party[13], the Liberal Reformers[14], Decide![15], Italians in the World[16] and Italian Liberal Right[17], were thought likely to join. Francesco Storace, leader of the The Right, hinted that he might be interested too[18][19], but then announced that his party would be only a close ally to PPL. Fini continued to make very critical statements in the days after Berlusconi's announcement, declaring the end of his support for Berlusconi as Prime Minister.[20][21]

From the beginning it was considered unlikely that Berlusconi's main allies, the National Alliance, the Lega Nord and the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats would join, as they had started to distance themselves from the House of Freedoms following the 2006 election.[22] Gianfranco Fini stated after Berlusconi's announcement that the National Alliance would not join the new party,[1] while Umberto Bossi of the Lega Nord also stated he was sceptical about the new party.[23] Carlo Giovanardi, leader of the Liberal Popular faction within UDC, which favoured closer relations with Berlusconi, and Francesco D'Onofrio, floor leader of UDC in the Senate, stated that the UDC should dissolve and become part of the new party.[24][25] On 27 November Giovanardi announced that he would definitely join the new party[26] and he finally did this on 4 February 2008.[27]

On 28 November 2008, Berlusconi explained that PPL would be a network party, styled on the European People's Party: open to all the parties, movements, groups, associations and individuals to join.[28] This was to give the party a broader base, and the intention was to reintegrate the National Alliance and UDC in the project. It was expected, also, that Storace's The Right (La Destra) would join the party in this form.

Current situation

This section, including the table of election results, has yet to be properly updated, following the 2008 general election, won by the PdL in coalition with Lega Nord.

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 general 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.[29] 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.[30]

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 Populars[31], Christian Democracy for the Autonomies[32], the Pensioners' Party, the Liberal Reformers[33], the Italian Republican Party, the New Italian Socialist Party, the Liberal Democrats[34], Decide![35], Italians in the World, Social Action[36], the Italian Liberal Right and the Reformist Socialists[37]. Other parties, including the UDEUR Populars, Christian Democracy, the Movement for Autonomy and the Italian Liberal Party, were thought likely to join. UDC was also invited to join, but its leaders apparently refused to do so, and the party fought the election alone.[38] The Right also refused to join PdL.

Popular support

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 precursor 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
Lombardy 31.8 39.5 32.6 36.5 43.6 40.9 32.9 34.7 37.3
Veneto 31.4 34.7 28.8 34.3 40.2 40.5 33.6 30.8 35.8
Emilia-Romagna 25.5 28.5 26.6 29.0 32.6 33.5 28.2 27.1 28.8
Tuscany 27.3 32.2 30.1 30.4 35.2 34.7 28.7 27.9 29.5
Lazio 45.8 43.5 45.0 40.9 44.6 46.8 35.9 39.3 40.0
Campania 40.2 37.2 42.1 35.9 32.1 46.9 32.7 22.5 39.8
Apulia 27.3[39] 41.1 42.5 40.7 44.2 45.4 36.4 38.9 40.5
Calabria 36.2 36.0 41.7 31.6 28.7 40.9 28.5 19.9 31.7
Sicily 47.6 31.2 (1996) 48.6 38.9 36.4 (2001) 47.4 36.0 29.8 (2001) 40.0
ITALY 34.5 - 35.8 35.5 - 41.1 32.3 - 36.0

According to an opinion poll[40] published on 11 February, the People of Freedom would gain 37-40% of the vote in the up-coming election, while the major centre-left party, the Democratic Party, would gain 29-30%. This was the first opinion poll with Forza Italia and National Alliance united together as the People of Freedom.

References

  1. ^ a b Key Berlusconi ally says he won't enter former premier's new party - International Herald Tribune
  2. ^ http://www.corriere.it/politica/08_febbraio_08/berlusconi_fini_amore_odio_amore_f2734546-d659-11dc-88e3-0003ba99c667.shtml
  3. ^ http://www.unita.it/view.asp?IDcontent=63132
  4. ^ Report: Berlusconi indicates Fini as likely successor at helm of conservative bloc - International Herald Tribune
  5. ^ France 24
  6. ^ Berlusconi Protegee Sets Up Liberty Party
  7. ^ http://www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/notizie/rubriche/daassociare/visualizza_new.html_65041167.html (Page no longer available.)
  8. ^ Sky tg24 - Tutte le notizie in formato video
  9. ^ «Oggi nasce il partito del popolo italiano». Corriere della Sera
  10. ^ http://www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/visualizza_fdg.html_65043240.html
  11. ^ | | ALICE Notizie
  12. ^ √ Partito Socialista Nuovo Psi - » Apc-Berlusconi/ Caldoro: Nuovo Psi Pronto A Processo Unitario
  13. ^ «Alleati, vi voglio un mare di bene». Corriere della Sera
  14. ^ Riformatori Liberali » CdL: Della Vedova, Impossibile riformare il sistema politico senza o contro Berlusconi
  15. ^ http://www.decidere.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=413&Itemid=1
  16. ^ Il Blog di Sergio De Gregorio » Blog Archive » Partito delle libertà , De Gregorio: InM parteciperà a fase costituente
  17. ^ Destra Liberale Italiana - Dli
  18. ^ Francesco Storace » Blog Archive » Se son fiamme bruceranno…
  19. ^ Partito del Popolo, Fini gela Berlusconi «Alleanza nazionale non vi confluirà». Corriere della Sera
  20. ^ http://www.agi.it/italy/news/200711202017-pol-ren0100-art.html
  21. ^ Key Berlusconi ally says he won't enter former premier's new party - International Herald Tribune
  22. ^ [1][dead link]
  23. ^ Berlusconi plans broader party | World news | The Guardian
  24. ^ http://www.agi.it/italy/news/200711191442-pol-ren0046-art.html
  25. ^ L'Udc si spacca sull'idea di Berlusconi. Corriere della Sera
  26. ^ http://www.carlogiovanardi.it/immagini/gio27no.pdf
  27. ^ Giovanardi lascia l'Udc per il Pdl Corriere della Sera
  28. ^ Berlusconi: Fi non si scioglie più. Corriere della Sera
  29. ^ «Via l'Ici e stretta sulle intercettazioni» Corriere della Sera
  30. ^ Svolta di Berlusconi, arriva il Pdl: "Forza Italia-An sotto stesso simbolo" - LASTAMPA.it
  31. ^ Carlo Giovanardi - Pdl: Giovanardi, Aderiamo A Progetto Berlusconi
  32. ^ http://www.agi.it/ultime-notizie-page/200802081045-pol-rom1039-art.html
  33. ^ Riformatori Liberali » Popolo delle Libertà: Della Vedova, Pieno sostegno a progetto Berlusconi. L’adesione dei Riformatori Liberali
  34. ^ La Repubblica.it » Politica » News
  35. ^ CAPEZZONE: proposta alla CDL, 10 Decreti legge, serve terapia d'urto - Clandestinoweb: sondaggi politici, elettorali. Il sondaggio politico elettorale che fa opinione
  36. ^ Alessandra Mussolini: «Convinti nel Pdl» Corriere della Sera
  37. ^ http://www.socialistiriformisti.com/il%20garofanorosso%20online%20n.44.pdf
  38. ^ La lista unica spacca il centrodestra Corriere della Sera
  39. ^ 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.
  40. ^ http://www.repubblica.it/speciale/2008/sondaggi_ipr/intenzioni_di_voto.html
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