Force of the South
Encyclopedia
Force of the South is a liberal-conservative
political party in Italy based in Sicily
.
In September 2010, after years of weighting (see PdL–Sicily), Gianfranco Micciché, long-time leader of Forza Italia
and, later, The People of Freedom
(PdL) in Sicily and Under-Secretary in Berlusconi IV Cabinet
, announced his exit from the PdL and his intention to launch a "Sicilian people's party", which would have then merged with other southern "people's parties" to form the "Party of the South
". In October 2010 Force of the South was launched. Only five out of 16 regional deputies of the PdL–Sicily, the faction of the PdL led by Micciché, followed their leader into the new party, which is now the sixth-largest political group in the Sicilian Regional Assembly
.
The party was officially launched during a convention in Palermo
on 30 October 2010, which was attended also by Stefania Prestigiacomo
, who, although very supportive of Micciché, chose however to remain loyal to the PdL. In that occasion Micciché announced that some 25 deputies and senators were ready to join the FdS. Finally only ten have managed to do so: they include seven deputies (Giuseppe Fallica, Ugo Grimaldi, Gianfranco Micciché, Antonino Minardo, Francesco Stagno D'Alcontres and Giacomo Terranova) and three senators (Roberto Centaro, Mario Ferrara and Salvo Fleres). All of them were elected in Sicily.
As soon as for 2011 local election FdS broadened its scope all throughout the South. The party had promising results in Naples
(5.2%) and Reggio Calabria
(4.7%).
On 14 July 2011 FdS launched, along with We the South
and I the South, the Federation of the South, later Great South
, a centre-right coalition which aims to become the party of the South.
Liberal conservatism
Liberal conservatism also known as progressive conservatism is a variant of political conservatism which incorporates liberal elements. As "conservatism" and "liberalism" have had different meanings over time and across countries, the term "liberal conservatism" has been used in quite different...
political party in Italy based in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
.
In September 2010, after years of weighting (see PdL–Sicily), Gianfranco Micciché, long-time leader of Forza Italia
Forza Italia
Forza Italia was a liberal-conservative, Christian democratic, and liberal political party in Italy, with a large social democratic minority, that was led by Silvio Berlusconi, four times Prime Minister of Italy....
and, later, The People of Freedom
The People of Freedom
The People of Freedom is a centre-right political party in Italy. With the Democratic Party, it is one of the two major parties of the current Italian party system....
(PdL) in Sicily and Under-Secretary in Berlusconi IV Cabinet
Berlusconi IV Cabinet
Berlusconi IV Cabinet has been the cabinet of the government of Italy from 8 May 2008 to 16 November 2011.As of July 2011, it was composed of 24 ministers, 4 deputy ministers and 39 under-secretaries, for a total of 67 members.-Sources:*...
, announced his exit from the PdL and his intention to launch a "Sicilian people's party", which would have then merged with other southern "people's parties" to form the "Party of the South
Party of the South
The Party of the South is a proposed political party in Italy.The party is intended to be a merger of some regionalist parties active in Southern Italy, notably including the Movement for Autonomies of Raffaele Lombardo, along with splinter groups from The People of Freedom and possibly the...
". In October 2010 Force of the South was launched. Only five out of 16 regional deputies of the PdL–Sicily, the faction of the PdL led by Micciché, followed their leader into the new party, which is now the sixth-largest political group in the Sicilian Regional Assembly
Sicilian Regional Assembly
The Sicilian Regional Assembly is the legislative body of the Sicily, as provided in its special status. By virtue of its particular state legislature, Regional Assembly is the only regional assembly to have the title of parliament and its components are defined Deputies.- History :The Sicilian...
.
The party was officially launched during a convention in Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
on 30 October 2010, which was attended also by Stefania Prestigiacomo
Stefania Prestigiacomo
Stefania Prestigiacomo is the Italian Minister of the Environment and Protection of Land and Sea.-Biography:Stefania Prestigiacomo is a graduate in Public Administration. In 1990, she became the president of the Young Entrepreneurs Group of Syracuse, Sicily.In 1994 she joined the House of...
, who, although very supportive of Micciché, chose however to remain loyal to the PdL. In that occasion Micciché announced that some 25 deputies and senators were ready to join the FdS. Finally only ten have managed to do so: they include seven deputies (Giuseppe Fallica, Ugo Grimaldi, Gianfranco Micciché, Antonino Minardo, Francesco Stagno D'Alcontres and Giacomo Terranova) and three senators (Roberto Centaro, Mario Ferrara and Salvo Fleres). All of them were elected in Sicily.
As soon as for 2011 local election FdS broadened its scope all throughout the South. The party had promising results in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
(5.2%) and Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria
Reggio di Calabria , commonly known as Reggio Calabria or Reggio, is the biggest city and the most populated comune of Calabria, southern Italy, and is the capital of the Province of Reggio Calabria and seat of the Council of Calabrian government.Reggio is located on the "toe" of the Italian...
(4.7%).
On 14 July 2011 FdS launched, along with We the South
We the South
We the South , in full We the South – Freedom and Autonomy , is a regionalist-centrist political party in Italy based in the South.-History:...
and I the South, the Federation of the South, later Great South
Great South (party)
Great South is a regionalist centre-right coalition of parties in Italy.Launched on 14 July 2011, it is composed of:*Force of the South...
, a centre-right coalition which aims to become the party of the South.