South Tyrolean Freedom

The South Tyrolean Freedom (German: Süd-Tiroler Freiheit, STF) is a separatist and national-conservative political party active in South Tyrol, where it seeks to represent the German-speaking population.[5]

South Tyrolean Freedom

Süd-Tiroler Freiheit
LeaderEva Klotz
Spokesperson /
Legal Representative		Werner Thaler
FoundedMay 2007
Split fromUnion for South Tyrol
HeadquartersSt. Josef am See, 74
39052 Kaltern an der Weinstraße (Italy)
Youth wingYoung South Tyrolean Freedom
Membership (2012)2,800[1]
IdeologyGerman-speaking
minority politics[2]
Separatism[2]
National conservatism[3][4]
Political positionRight-wing to far-right
European affiliationEuropean Free Alliance
Chamber of Deputies
0 / 630
Senate
0 / 315
European Parliament
0 / 73
Provincial Council
2 / 35
Website
www.suedtiroler-freiheit.com

Founded by Eva Klotz, the party is committed to the South Tyrolean secessionist movement,[5] 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.[5][6] 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 "South Tyrol is not Italy" and the Austrian flag as background.[7] A sign with the same content was set up at the Brenner Pass border, at last in June 2008.[8]

In April 2009, the STF became a full member of the European Free Alliance, a pan-European organization of regionalist parties.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11][12][13]

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

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.[14]

Election results

Provincial Council
Landtag of South Tyrol
Election year Votes % Seats +/−
2008 14,888 4.9
2 / 35
–
2013 20,736 7.2
3 / 35
1
2018 16,927 6.0
2 / 35
1

Leadership
  • Spokesperson / Legal Representative: Werner Thaler (2007–present)
gollark: IT BECAME SENTIENT
gollark: ESOBOT DID IT
gollark: How would palaiologos do it?
gollark: Just don't ban people. This is not very important. lyricLy obviously did it.
gollark: The time zone.

References
  1. "Sudtirol, Eva Klotz Triplica I Suoi Iscritti - L'Indipendenza". Lindipendenza.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  2. Nordsieck, Wolfram (2018). "South Tyrol/Italy". Parties and Elections in Europe.
  3. "Nicht wählen ist keine Lösung.", brennerbasisdemokratie.eu (in German), 25 February 2018, retrieved 27 January 2018
  4. "CSU ist der Sargnagel für SPD". Bundesdeutsche Zeitung. 16 October 2018.
  5. 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.
  7. "Südtirol aktuell" (PDF). Suedstern.org. July 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  8. "Umstrittene "Süd-Tirol-Tafel" wieder am Brenner aufgestellt". Vienna.at. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  9. "Member Parties". E-f-a.org. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. "Referendum provinciale confermativo 2014 - Provincia autonoma di Bolzano – Alto Adige". Eleziono.provincia.bz.it. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2014-11-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Südtirol: Eva Klotz steigt aus Landtag aus - derStandard.at". DER STANDARD. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  13. Simon, Hackspiel (27 November 2014). "Verfechterin der Selbstbestimmung in Südtirol: Eva Klotz tritt zurück". Tiroler Tageszeitung Online. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  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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