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Civic Choice

A Deep Dive into Italian Centrist Politics

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Party Overview

Founder and Vision

Civic Choice (Italian: Scelta Civica, SC) was an Italian political party established on January 4, 2013. It was founded by Mario Monti, the technocratic Prime Minister at the time, with the explicit aim of supporting his political agenda and ensuring continuity in governance. The party positioned itself as a force for civil society, advocating for reform and stability.

Headquarters and Identity

The party's headquarters were located at Via Poli 29, 00184 Rome, Italy. Civic Choice identified primarily with centrist and liberal political ideologies, seeking to occupy a moderate space within the Italian political spectrum. Its core tenets revolved around economic liberalism, European integration, and institutional reform.

Formation and Dissolution

Formed in the lead-up to the 2013 general election, Civic Choice was part of the "With Monti for Italy" coalition. The party experienced a turbulent existence, marked by internal disputes and shifting alliances. It was officially dissolved on July 24, 2019, and subsequently merged into the "Us with Italy" political movement.

Historical Trajectory

Foundation and Early Coalition

Civic Choice emerged as an electoral list representing "civil society" to support Mario Monti's premiership and his reformist agenda. For the 2013 general election, it formed the "With Monti for Italy" coalition, which included the Union of the Centre (UdC) and Future and Freedom (FLI). This coalition aimed to present a moderate alternative to the dominant centre-left and centre-right blocs.

Government Participation and Internal Strife

Following the 2013 election, Civic Choice joined Enrico Letta's grand coalition government. Three of its prominent members served as ministers. The party, however, was soon beset by internal divisions. Disagreements arose between its liberal and Catholic factions, particularly regarding European party affiliations and the party's overall political direction. Monti himself resigned as president twice amidst these internal conflicts.

Key developments included:

  • Party Leadership Changes: Monti's resignation led to interim leadership by Alberto Bombassei, followed by Renato Balduzzi, and later Enrico Zanetti.
  • Ideological Splits: Debates over aligning with the European People's Party (EPP) versus the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) highlighted the party's internal rifts.
  • Formation of New Factions: The "popular" wing, led by figures like Mario Mauro, eventually split to form "Populars for Italy" (PpI).
  • Parliamentary Fragmentation: The party's parliamentary groups experienced significant fragmentation, with members joining or forming new entities like "For Italy" (PI) and "Civics and Innovators".

Shifting Alliances and Dissolution

The party's trajectory saw it move from supporting the centre-left under Matteo Renzi to eventually aligning with Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia and the broader centre-right coalition. This shift culminated in the formation of the "Us with Italy" (NcI) electoral list for the 2018 general election. After failing to secure parliamentary representation in 2018, Civic Choice was formally dissolved in July 2019.

Electoral Performance

Italian Parliament

Civic Choice participated in the 2013 general election as part of the "With Monti for Italy" coalition. Its performance secured representation in both chambers of the Italian Parliament.

Chamber of Deputies (2013)
Election Year Votes % Seats +/- Leader
2013 2,824,001 (4th) 8.3 37 / 630 Mario Monti
Senate of the Republic (2013)
Election Year Votes % Seats +/- Leader
2013 2,797,486 (4th) 9.1 19 / 315 Mario Monti

European Parliament

In the 2014 European Parliament election, Civic Choice ran within the "European Choice" (SE) list. The coalition failed to secure any seats, reflecting a significant decline in electoral support.

European Parliament (2014)
Election Year Votes % Seats +/- Leader
2014 196,157 (9th) 0.7 0 / 73 Stefania Giannini

Key Leadership Figures

Founding Leader

Mario Monti: Former Prime Minister of Italy, economist, and senator for life. He founded Civic Choice to promote his reformist agenda and centrist political vision.

Prominent Figures

Throughout its existence, Civic Choice saw several key figures in leadership roles, including:

  • Andrea Riccardi: Founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, served as an early president.
  • Alberto Bombassei: Industrialist and former vice president of Confindustria, held leadership positions including acting president.
  • Stefania Giannini: University professor, served as party secretary and later Minister of Education.
  • Enrico Zanetti: Economist and politician, became party secretary in 2015 and later Deputy Minister of the Economy.
  • Benedetto Della Vedova: Prominent liberal figure who played a significant role in the party's internal dynamics.
  • Linda Lanzillotta: Senator and advocate for liberal policies.

Political Stance

Centrist Liberalism

Civic Choice was fundamentally a centrist and liberal political party. Its ideology emphasized:

  • Economic Liberalism: Support for market economies, fiscal responsibility, and structural reforms.
  • European Integration: A strong commitment to Italy's role within the European Union and its institutions.
  • Reformism: Advocacy for institutional modernization, administrative efficiency, and evidence-based policymaking.
  • Social Moderation: A generally moderate stance on social issues, often reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its members.

Party Colors

The party's primary color was blue, symbolizing stability, trust, and a connection to traditional centrist political movements in Europe.

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References

References

  1.  In a joint list with Democratic Centre.
  2.  Italy's Monti unveils alliance, rules out minister role Reuters 4 January 2013
  3.  Elezioni 2013. Elezioni.interno.it. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  4.  Giannini, Tabacci e Boldrin presentano Scelta Europea. Le foto - Formiche
  5.  Bombassei lascia presidenza Scelta Civica: ecco la lettera - Repubblica.it
  6.  Deliberazione 24 luglio 2019, n.2/CR
A full list of references for this article are available at the Civic Choice Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.

This is not political advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for professional political analysis, consultation, or independent research. Always consult official sources and qualified experts for comprehensive understanding and decision-making.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided.