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South Tyrolean Freedom

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South Tyrolean Freedom
Süd-Tiroler Freiheit
LeaderSven Knoll
Spokesperson / Legal RepresentativeWerner Thaler
FounderEva Klotz
FoundedMay 2007
Split fromUnion for South Tyrol
HeadquartersSt. Josef am See, 74
39052 Kaltern an der Weinstraße (Italy)
Youth wingYoung South Tyrolean Freedom
Membership (2021)4,535[1]
IdeologyRegionalism
German-speaking minority interests
National conservatism
Separatism
Right-wing populism
Political positionRight-wing
European affiliationEuropean Free Alliance
Chamber of Deputies
0 / 400
Senate
0 / 200
European Parliament
0 / 73
Provincial Council
4 / 35
Party flag
Website
www.suedtiroler-freiheit.com

South Tyrolean Freedom (German: Süd-Tiroler Freiheit, STF) is a regionalist,[2] separatist[citation needed] and national-conservative[citation needed] political party in South Tyrol, Italy. The party, which is part of the South Tyrolean independence movement, seeks to represent the German-speaking population[3] and proposes the secession of South Tyrol from Italy and its reunification with the State of Tyrol within Austria.[3]

The party, whose founding leader was Eva Klotz, is officially led by Werner Thaler, but its leading figure is Sven Knoll.

History

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The South Tyrolean Freedom emerged as a split from the Union for South Tyrol (UfS) in May 2007.[3][4] On 8 June 2007 it was notarially founded in Brixen. The founding members were Herbert Campidell, Eva Klotz, Sven Knoll, Reinhold Ladurner, Roland Lang, Sepp Mitterhofer, Werner Thaler and Dietmar Zwerger.

In mid 2007, the party presented a provocative poster campaign with the slogan Süd-Tirol ist nicht Italien! ("South Tyrol is not Italy") and the Austrian flag as background.[5] A sign with the same content was also set up at the Brenner Pass border, in June 2008.[6]

In April 2009, the STF became a full member of the European Free Alliance, a pan-European organization of regionalist parties.[7] Gudrun Kofler from the STF Youth (Junge Süd-Tiroler Freiheit) was elected as Vice President of the EFA Youth.

In January 2012, it was reported that the party had reached 2,800 members, a lot more than UfS in its best days.[8]

In the 2013 provincial election, the STF won 7.2%, its record high so far, resulting in three provincial councillors.[9]

In November 2014, Klotz, who had served in the Provincial Council for 31 consecutive years (for SH, UfS and STF), announced her resignation from the assembly in order to take care of her husband, who was severely ill.[10][11][12]

In the 2018 provincial election, the party obtained 6.0% of the vote and two provincial councillors.

In the municipal elections in September 2020, South Tyrolean Freedom competed in 29 South Tyrolean municipalities with 140 candidates. It was able to increase its seats from 41 to 49.[13]

In the 2023 provincial election, the party surged to 10.9% of the vote, translating into four provincial councillors.

Ideology

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The STF sees itself as a "liberal-patriotic" party aimed at protecting the German-speaking population of South Tyrol. The party claims South Tyroleans' right to self-determination and to conduct a referendum in order to decide whether they want to be part of Italy or the Austrian state of Tyrol. The party programme also emphasizes the protection of the environment, the defense of family values, a moderately liberal economic policy and the concept of Europe of the regions.[14]

Election results

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Provincial Council

[edit]
Landtag of South Tyrol
Election year Votes % Seats +/− Leader
2008 14,888 4.9
2 / 35
–
Eva Klotz
2013 20,736 7.2
3 / 35
Increase 1
Eva Klotz
2018 16,927 6.0
2 / 35
Decrease 1
Sven Knoll
2023 30,583 10.9
4 / 35
Increase 2
Sven Knoll

Leadership

[edit]
  • Spokesperson / Legal Representative: Werner Thaler (2007–present)

References

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  1. ^ https://suedtiroler-freiheit.com
  2. ^ Davide Vampa (2016). The Regional Politics of Welfare in Italy, Spain and Great Britain. Springer. p. 63. ISBN 978-3-319-39007-9.
  3. ^ a b c Andrea Carla (2016). "Tensions and Challenges between New and Old minorities: Political Party Discourses on Migration in South Tyrol". In Roberta Medda-Windischer; Patricia Popelier (eds.). Pro-independence Movements and Immigration: Discourse, Policy and Practice. BRILL. p. 70. ISBN 978-90-04-29439-4.
  4. ^ http://www.stol.it/nachrichten/artikel.asp?KatID=fa&ArtID=93075 [dead link]
  5. ^ "Südtirol aktuell" (PDF). Suedstern.org. July 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Umstrittene "Süd-Tirol-Tafel" wieder am Brenner aufgestellt". Vienna.at. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Member Parties". E-f-a.org. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Sudtirol, Eva Klotz Triplica I Suoi Iscritti - L'Indipendenza". Lindipendenza.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Referendum provinciale confermativo 2014 - Provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige". Eleziono.provincia.bz.it. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Eva Klotz si è dimessa dal consiglio provinciale: Mio marito è malato, voglio stargli vicino - Cronaca - Alto Adige". Archived from the original on 20 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Südtirol: Eva Klotz steigt aus Landtag aus - derStandard.at". DER STANDARD. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  12. ^ Simon, Hackspiel (27 November 2014). "Verfechterin der Selbstbestimmung in Südtirol: Eva Klotz tritt zurück". Tiroler Tageszeitung Online. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  13. ^ "Elezioni comunali 2020 - Alto Adige / Gemeindewahlen 2020 - Südtirol". www.elezionicomunali.bz.it. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  14. ^ "15. Februar 2016: Einladung zum Vortrag "Dorfstraße = via del Paese, Dorfstraße ... ?"". Süd-Tiroler Freiheit. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
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