South Tyrolean Freedom

South Tyrolean Freedom
Süd-Tiroler Freiheit
Leader Eva Klotz
Founded May 2007
Split from Union for South Tyrol
Headquarters St. Josef am See, 74
39052 Kaltern an der Weinstraße (BZ)
Youth wing Young South Tyrolean Freedom
Membership  (2012) 2,800[1]
Ideology German minority politics[2]
Separatism[2]
National conservatism[2]
Political position Right-wing
European affiliation European Free Alliance
International affiliation none
European Parliament group no MEPs
Chamber of Deputies
0 / 630
Senate
0 / 315
European Parliament
0 / 73
Provincial Council
3 / 35
Website
http://www.suedtiroler-freiheit.com

The South Tyrolean Freedom (German: Süd-Tiroler Freiheit, STF), officially South Tyrolean Freedom – Free Alliance for Tyrol (Süd-Tiroler Freiheit – Freies Bündnis für Tirol), is a separatist and national-conservative political party active in South Tyrol, where it seeks to represent the German-speaking population. The party is committed to the South Tyrolean secessionist movement, which entails secession of the Province from Italy and its reunification with the State of Tyrol within Austria.

History

Banner used in protests helmed by South Tyrolean Freedom.

The South Tyrolean Freedom emerged as a split from the Union for South Tyrol (UfS) in May 2007.[3] 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 the summer of 2007, the party presented a provocative poster campaign with the slogan "South Tyrol is not Italy" and the Austrian flag as background.[4] A sign with the same content was set up at the Brenner Pass border, at last in June 2008.[5]

In April 2009 the STF became a full member of the European Free Alliance, a pan-European organization of regionalist parties.[6] 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.[1]

In the 2013 provincial election the STF won 7.2%, its record high so far, resulting in three provincial councillors.[7]

In November 2014 Klotz, who had served in the Provincial Council for 31 consecutive years, announced her resignation from the assembly in order to take care of her husband, who was severely ill.[8][9][10]

Ideology

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.[11]

Election results

Provincial Council

Provincial Council of South Tyrol
Election year # of
overall votes		 % of
overall vote		 # of
overall seats won		 +/–
2008 14,888 4.9
2 / 35
–
2013 20,736 7.2
3 / 35
Increase 1

Leadership

References

  1. 1 2 Sudtirol, Eva Klotz Triplica I Suoi Iscritti | L'Indipendenza
  2. 1 2 3 Parties and Elections in Europe: The database about parliamentary elections and political parties in Europe, by Wolfram Nordsieck
  3. ↑ http://www.stol.it/nachrichten/artikel.asp?KatID=fa&ArtID=93075
  4. ↑ http://www.suedstern.org/data/press/Dolomiten_140707.pdf
  5. ↑ Umstrittene "Süd-Tirol-Tafel" wieder am Brenner aufgestellt - Welt Vorarlberg - Vienna Online
  6. ↑ Member Parties
  7. ↑ Referendum provinciale confermativo 2014 | Provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige
  8. ↑ http://altoadige.gelocal.it/bolzano/cronaca/2014/11/17/news/clamoroso-eva-klotz-si-dimette-dal-consiglio-provinciale-1.10327041
  9. ↑ http://derstandard.at/2000008261930/Suedtirol-Eva-Klotz-steigt-aus-Landtag-aus
  10. ↑ http://www.tt.com/politik/landespolitik/9274319-91/verfechterin-der-selbstbestimmung-in-s%C3%BCdtirol-eva-klotz-tritt-zur%C3%BCck.csp
  11. ↑ http://www.suedtiroler-freiheit.com/content/view/15/28/
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