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| Liberi e Uguali | |
|---|---|
| Name | Liberi e Uguali |
| Country | Italy |
Liberi e Uguali. Liberi e Uguali was an Italian left-wing parliamentary alliance and later party that emerged in the late 2010s as a response to internal divisions within Partito Democratico, the realignment of the Italian left after the rise of Movimento 5 Stelle, and debates following the European migrant crisis. It positioned itself alongside historic European social-democratic movements such as Partito Socialista Italiano and contemporary formations like Podemos and Syriza, seeking to unite figures from trade unions, civil society, and parliamentary leftists. The coalition drew on activists associated with organizations like UIL and CGIL, and public intellectuals influenced by debates framed by Amartya Sen and Noam Chomsky.
The formation occurred amid defections and splits reminiscent of earlier Italian realignments such as those after the dissolution of Democrazia Cristiana and the reconfiguration surrounding Forza Italia. Initial meetings involved deputies formerly linked to Sinistra Italiana, the Partito della Rifondazione Comunista, and dissident groups from Partito Democratico. The launch followed negotiations among trade unionists active in FIOM, academics associated with Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", and legislators who had opposed policies introduced during the administrations of Matteo Renzi and Paolo Gentiloni. The alliance contested the national election cycle after forming an electoral list modeled on coalition precedents like Ulivo and The Olive Tree (Italy), drawing attention from media outlets including La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera.
Ideologically, the formation combined strands from social democracy, democratic socialism, and progressivism as interpreted in the Italian context post-2008 financial crisis. Its platform emphasized labor protections resonant with demands from CGIL and CISL, public investment proposals echoing debates led by figures like Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz, and an emphasis on civil rights comparable to positions held by Amnesty International on asylum policies. Economic policy proposals referenced frameworks debated in the Treaty on European Union context and critiques similar to those from European United Left–Nordic Green Left members in the European Parliament. Its stance on European fiscal rules invoked discussions related to the Stability and Growth Pact and proposals associated with Emmanuel Macron's and Jeremy Corbyn's differing visions of reform.
Organizationally, leadership drew parliamentary figures who had served on committees alongside representatives from bodies like Camera dei deputati (Italy) and Senato della Repubblica (Italy). Key personalities included former mayors, union leaders, and intellectuals who had affiliations with institutions such as Università Bocconi and Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. Operational structures resembled those of other Italian parties like Partito Socialista Italiano and Rifondazione Comunista with local sections built to mirror grassroots networks previously active in movements like Occupy and community groups connected to Caritas Italiana. The group's secretariat and council incorporated advisors experienced in negotiations with entities like Confindustria and committees that liaise with the European Commission.
Electoral performance mirrored patterns seen by other new left formations, competing against established parties including Forza Italia, Lega Nord, and Fratelli d'Italia. It achieved parliamentary representation by winning seats in contests contemporaneous with regional elections in regions such as Tuscany, Lazio, and Campania, though with vote shares smaller than long-standing parties like Partito Democratico (Italy). Performance was compared to the trajectories of GreenLeft parties in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, and to splinter lists that emerged after the collapse of coalition projects like Italian Left. Electoral analyses referenced turnout trends influenced by events like the European Parliament election cycles and national referendums such as the 2016 Italian constitutional referendum.
Policy positions included expanded welfare measures reminiscent of proposals discussed by OECD analysts, progressive taxation similar to plans advocated by Thomas Piketty, and labor reforms aligning with demands from FIOM and UIL. On migration, the group advocated humanitarian approaches reflecting positions taken by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and supported search-and-rescue operations akin to NGOs such as Mare Jonio and SOS Méditerranée. Environmental policy proposals echoed commitments in the Paris Agreement and aligned with calls from European Green Party affiliates for a transition to renewable energy, invoking debates around projects like Tap (Trans Adriatic Pipeline). On foreign policy, it generally supported multilateralism represented by United Nations frameworks and engaged in debates about NATO commitments.
Strategic alliances included negotiations and arrangements with parties like Sinistra Italiana, Articolo Uno, and civic lists comparable to coalitions formed by Olive Tree (Italy). The group participated in broader leftist fronts in certain municipal and regional elections, forging tactical pacts reminiscent of electoral cooperation seen between Podemos and Izquierda Unida in Spain. Internationally, it engaged informally with delegations from Party of European Socialists and consulted with representatives from European United Left–Nordic Green Left on coordination for European Parliament campaigns.
Criticism targeted organizational coherence and electoral strategy, echoing disputes that once affected formations such as Rifondazione Comunista and debates within Partito Democratico (Italy). Commentators from outlets like Il Fatto Quotidiano and Il Sole 24 Ore debated its viability amid fragmentation among leftist voters and the rise of populist parties like Movimento 5 Stelle and Lega Nord. Internal controversies involved disagreements over candidate selection processes paralleling conflicts seen in Sinistra Italiana and accusations from rivals about compromise on issues like handling of the European migrant crisis and attitudes towards austerity policies enacted during administrations connected to figures such as Mario Monti.