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Democrats (Italy)
Encyclopedia
The Democrats is a former political party in Italy, launched by Romano Prodi
in 1998. One of the party's main goals was the establishment of a bipolar
political system. The name and symbol of the party is a direct reference to the U.S. Democratic Party
.
, by close supporters of Romano Prodi
who, as Prodi himself, were not members of any party of The Olive Tree. Ulivists
organized "Clubs for Prodi" and the "Citizens for The Olive Tree" association. Although most Ulivists took part to the campaign only as activists and remained grassroots supporters during the Prodi II Cabinet
, some were elected with the Italian People's Party–Democratic Union
.
When Romano Prodi was ousted from his post of Prime Minister of Italy
, he launched a new party with grassroots activists, disgruntled Populars, Democratic Union of Antonio Maccanico, the Movement for Democracy – The Net of Leoluca Orlando
, Italy of Values
of Antonio Di Pietro
(who left the party in 2000 and re-established an independent Italy of Values) and the so-called Movement of Mayors of Francesco Rutelli and Massimo Cacciari
.
Prodi led the party to a good result in the 1999 European Parliament election
(7.7%). Some months later Prodi was nominated President of the European Commission
and Arturo Parisi
succeeded him as party leader. In early 2000 Parisi asked the Democrats of the Left
to dissolve into a new "Democratic Party".
In 2000 The Democrats agreed with the Italian People's Party, Italian Renewal
and UDEUR Populars to form a joint list for the 2001 general election
. The list, which gained a considerable success (14.5%), was transformed into a party in early 2002 under the name of Democracy is Freedom – The Daisy.
The core of The Democrats, through the Ulivists
' association, were an often dissenting member of that party and are now a minority faction within the Democratic Party
.
of Maccanico and Rutelli, to social democracy
and populism
. At the European level, The Democrats were affiliated to the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
.
The party was aimed at the formation of a "Democratic Party", in line with the tradition of The Olive Tree, a big tent
party comprising all of the Italian centre-left
political forces. The Democratic Party was eventually formed in October 2007.
Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi is an Italian politician and statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of Italy, from 17 May 1996 to 21 October 1998 and from 17 May 2006 to 8 May 2008...
in 1998. One of the party's main goals was the establishment of a bipolar
Two-party system
A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected offices are members of one of the two major parties...
political system. The name and symbol of the party is a direct reference to the U.S. Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
History
Early groups of Ulivists were formed in 1995–1996, during the campaign for the 1996 general electionItalian general election, 1996
An early national general election was held in Italy on 21 April, 1996 to elect members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic...
, by close supporters of Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi is an Italian politician and statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of Italy, from 17 May 1996 to 21 October 1998 and from 17 May 2006 to 8 May 2008...
who, as Prodi himself, were not members of any party of The Olive Tree. Ulivists
Ulivists
The Ulivists are a faction within the Democratic Party , a political party in Italy.The group includes both Christian left politicians, social democrats and social liberals. They has been close supporters of Romano Prodi and want the party to be stuck in the tradition of The Olive Tree...
organized "Clubs for Prodi" and the "Citizens for The Olive Tree" association. Although most Ulivists took part to the campaign only as activists and remained grassroots supporters during the Prodi II Cabinet
Prodi II Cabinet
The Prodi II Cabinet was the cabinet of the government of Italy from 17 May 2006 to 8 May 2008, a total of 722 days, or 1 year, 11 months and 21 days...
, some were elected with the Italian People's Party–Democratic Union
Democratic Union (Italy)
The Democratic Union was a small social-liberal party in Italy.It was founded in 1996 by Antonio Maccanico , Willer Bordon and Giorgio Benvenuto, both members of Democratic Alliance...
.
When Romano Prodi was ousted from his post of Prime Minister of Italy
Prime minister of Italy
The Prime Minister of Italy is the head of government of the Italian Republic...
, he launched a new party with grassroots activists, disgruntled Populars, Democratic Union of Antonio Maccanico, the Movement for Democracy – The Net of Leoluca Orlando
Leoluca Orlando
Leoluca Orlando , is an Italian politician, who was mayor of Palermo in 1985-1990 and 1993-2000. He is best known for his strong opposition to the Sicilian Mafia.-Biography:Orlando was born in Palermo...
, Italy of Values
Italy of Values
Italy of Values is a centrist, populist and anti-corruption political party in Italy. The party, which is affiliated to the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party , is headed by former Mani pulite prosecutor Antonio Di Pietro, who entered politics in 1996.The party aims to gather and give...
of Antonio Di Pietro
Antonio Di Pietro
Antonio Di Pietro is an Italian politician. He was a Member of the European Parliament, an Italian Senator, and Minister of the Prodi Government...
(who left the party in 2000 and re-established an independent Italy of Values) and the so-called Movement of Mayors of Francesco Rutelli and Massimo Cacciari
Massimo Cacciari
Massimo Cacciari is an Italian philosopher and politician.Born in Venice, Massimo Cacciari graduated in philosophy from the University of Padua , where he also received his doctorate, writing a thesis on Immanuel Kant's "Critique of Judgment." In 1985, he became professor of Aesthetics at the...
.
Prodi led the party to a good result in the 1999 European Parliament election
European Parliament election, 1999 (Italy)
The European Parliament election of 1999 in Italy was the election of the delegation from Italy to the European Parliament in 1999.-References:...
(7.7%). Some months later Prodi was nominated President of the European Commission
President of the European Commission
The President of the European Commission is the head of the European Commission ― the executive branch of the :European Union ― the most powerful officeholder in the EU. The President is responsible for allocating portfolios to members of the Commission and can reshuffle or dismiss them if needed...
and Arturo Parisi
Arturo Parisi
Arturo Parisi is an Italian politician, leader of the Ulivist faction of the Democratic Party and four-time member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies...
succeeded him as party leader. In early 2000 Parisi asked the Democrats of the Left
Democrats of the Left
The Democrats of the Left was a social-democratic Italian political party and part of the Olive Tree electoral coalition, which merged with a number of centrist and leftist groups to form the Democratic Party on 14 October 2007...
to dissolve into a new "Democratic Party".
In 2000 The Democrats agreed with the Italian People's Party, Italian Renewal
Italian Renewal
The Italian Renewal was a liberal-centrist political party in Italy.It was founded in 1996 by Lamberto Dini along with some former Liberals, Socialists, Christian Democrats, Republicans and Social Democrats...
and UDEUR Populars to form a joint list for the 2001 general election
Italian general election, 2001
A national general election was held in Italy on May 13, 2001 to elect members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic. The 14th Parliament of the Italian republic was chosen....
. The list, which gained a considerable success (14.5%), was transformed into a party in early 2002 under the name of Democracy is Freedom – The Daisy.
The core of The Democrats, through the Ulivists
Ulivists
The Ulivists are a faction within the Democratic Party , a political party in Italy.The group includes both Christian left politicians, social democrats and social liberals. They has been close supporters of Romano Prodi and want the party to be stuck in the tradition of The Olive Tree...
' association, were an often dissenting member of that party and are now a minority faction within the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Italy)
The Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in Italy, that is the second-largest in the country. The party is led by Pier Luigi Bersani, who was elected in the 2009 leadership election....
.
Ideology
The ideology of the party ranged from the "social Catholicism" of Prodi and Parisi, to the social liberalismSocial liberalism
Social liberalism is the belief that liberalism should include social justice. It differs from classical liberalism in that it believes the legitimate role of the state includes addressing economic and social issues such as unemployment, health care, and education while simultaneously expanding...
of Maccanico and Rutelli, to social democracy
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
and populism
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
. At the European level, The Democrats were affiliated to the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party is a European political party mainly active in the European Union, composed of 56 national-level liberal and liberal-democratic parties from across Europe...
.
The party was aimed at the formation of a "Democratic Party", in line with the tradition of The Olive Tree, a big tent
Big tent
In politics, a big tent party or catch-all party is a political party seeking to attract people with diverse viewpoints. The party does not require adherence to some ideology as a criterion for membership...
party comprising all of the Italian centre-left
Centre-left
Centre-left is a political term that describes individuals, political parties or organisations such as think tanks whose ideology lies between the centre and the left on the left-right spectrum...
political forces. The Democratic Party was eventually formed in October 2007.