South Calls North
An academic examination of the Italian political party "Sud chiama Nord," its origins, platform, and impact on the national and regional political landscape.
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Defining South Calls North
Political Identity
South Calls North (Italian: Sud chiama Nord, ScN) is a political party operating within the Italian system. It is primarily identified by its regionalist and populist orientations. The party's operational base is centered in Sicily, and it is prominently led by Cateno De Luca, a former mayor of Messina.
Regional Focus and National Ambitions
While rooted in Sicily, the party's formation and activities indicate broader national aspirations. The name itself, "South Calls North," suggests a narrative of regional development and influence extending beyond its immediate geographical base. Its platform often emphasizes decentralization and the empowerment of local administrators.
Leadership and Foundation
Founded officially in June 2022, the party emerged from earlier political movements associated with Cateno De Luca, such as Sicilia Vera. De Luca's background, including his tenure as mayor of Messina and prior political affiliations, provides a foundation for the party's populist appeal and regionalist stance.
Historical Trajectory
Precursors and Formation
The party's origins trace back to Cateno De Luca's political career. Prior to leading "South Calls North," De Luca was involved with various political entities, including the Christian Democrats, the Union of the Centre, and the Movement for Autonomy. In 2007, he established Sicilia Vera, which laid groundwork for subsequent political ventures.
The formal launch of "South Calls North" occurred in June 2022, in anticipation of the Sicilian regional elections. This initiative was initially a collaboration with Dino Giarrusso, a former Member of the European Parliament for the Five Star Movement. However, internal disagreements led to Giarrusso's departure shortly after the party's inception, leaving De Luca as the sole leader.
Electoral Engagements
2022 General Election: ScN participated in the national elections, securing representation in both chambers of the Italian Parliament. Francesco Gallo won a single-member constituency in the Chamber of Deputies, and Dafne Musolino secured a seat in the Senate. The party demonstrated significant local support in Messina, achieving over 30% of the vote in relevant districts.
2022 Sicilian Regional Election: Cateno De Luca ran for President of Sicily, securing second place with 24.0% of the vote. The party's affiliated lists garnered 18.1% of the vote, resulting in eight members elected to the Sicilian Regional Assembly. Notably, four of these elected councillors later formed a distinct parliamentary group, "Sicilia Vera," highlighting potential internal factional dynamics.
Key Personnel Changes and Alliances
In March 2023, Laura Castelli, a prominent figure from the Five Star Movement, joined "South Calls North," assuming the role of spokesperson. She was later appointed party president in January 2024, signifying a shift in party leadership structure.
Senator Dafne Musolino departed the party in September 2023 to join Matteo Renzi's Italia Viva. In 2024, the party formed an alliance with Franco Cuccureddu, a former member of the Movement for Autonomy, who became the party's representative in Sardinia. Cuccureddu's list, "Shared Horizon" (OC), achieved success in the Sardinian regional election.
Furthermore, in March 2024, De Luca launched "Freedom" (Libertร ), a broader electoral coalition intended to contest the 2024 European Parliament elections, signaling an expansion of the party's strategic alliances.
Core Ideological Tenets
Regionalism and Federalism
The party's foundational ideology is deeply rooted in regionalism and autonomism. "South Calls North" advocates for enhanced administrative decentralization, seeking to transfer greater decision-making authority to local administrators and regional bodies. This aligns with a broader vision of federalism within Italy, aiming to rebalance power structures away from the central government.
Populist Appeal
Characterized as populist, the party often employs rhetoric that resonates with sentiments of anti-establishment sentiment and direct appeal to the populace. This approach is exemplified by the party's slogan, prominently featured in its logo: "De Luca for Mayor of Italy." This framing positions the party leader as an advocate for a more centralized, yet locally-empowered, form of governance, akin to a strong municipal leadership extended to the national level.
Centralization of Executive Power
Paradoxically, alongside its regionalist stance, the party supports strengthening the powers of the Prime Minister of Italy. This position is often articulated through the metaphor of the Prime Minister acting as the "Mayor of Italy," suggesting a desire for a more decisive and executive-led national government, potentially to implement regionalist reforms more effectively.
Electoral Performance Analysis
Italian Parliament
In the 2022 general election, "South Calls North" secured representation in both legislative chambers:
- Chamber of Deputies: 1 seat out of 400, with 0.76% of the national vote.
- Senate of the Republic: 1 seat out of 200, with 1.0% of the national vote.
These results indicate a nascent but present influence at the national level, particularly strong in specific regional constituencies.
European Parliament
For the 2024 European Parliament elections, the party participated as part of the "Freedom" electoral list. This coalition did not secure any seats in the European Parliament, reflecting the challenges of consolidating support across diverse regional lists for supranational representation.
Regional Councils
The party's most significant electoral successes have been at the regional level, particularly in Sicily:
- Sicilian Regional Assembly (2022): The party's affiliated lists obtained 18.1% of the vote, electing eight members. Cateno De Luca's personal candidacy for President garnered 24.0% of the vote.
In Sardinia (2024), the allied list "Shared Horizon" (OC) secured three seats in the regional election, demonstrating the party's ability to forge effective regional alliances.
Party Symbols and Branding
Primary Logo
The primary visual identifier for "South Calls North" features the party's name prominently. The logo incorporates the colors yellow and red, reflecting a blend of regional identity and political dynamism. The slogan "De Luca for Mayor of Italy" is often integrated, underscoring the party's leadership-centric approach.
Visual Representations
The party utilizes distinct visual assets for different electoral contexts. The logo associated with the 2022 general election and the more general 2022-present branding visually represent the party's identity and its participation in key political events.
Key Leadership Roles
Secretaries and Coordinators
The leadership structure has seen evolution:
- Secretary: Initially Dino Giarrusso (2022), succeeded by Cateno De Luca (2022โpresent).
- Coordinator: Cateno De Luca held this role in 2022.
Presidents and Spokespersons
Key figures in the party's administrative and public-facing roles include:
- President: Ismaele La Vardera (2022โ2024), followed by Laura Castelli (2024โpresent).
- Spokesperson: Laura Castelli served in this capacity from 2023 to 2024.
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References
References
- Elezioni 2022 รขยย Collegio uninominale Sicilia 2, Messina. Ministero dell'Interno
- In Sicilia รยจ andato molto bene il partito di Cateno De Luca, Il Post
- Elezioni regionali 2022 รขยย Presidenti, Regione Sicilia
- Sicilia Vera. Assemblea Regionale Siciliana
- Sud chiama Nord, Laura Castelli nuova portavoce. MessinaToday
- Manifesto politico, Sud chiama Nord
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an AI, synthesizing information from publicly available sources, primarily Wikipedia. It is intended for educational and analytical purposes, providing a structured overview of the political party "South Calls North."
This is not political or financial advice. The content presented here is based on data that may not be exhaustive or entirely current. It does not constitute an endorsement or critique of the party's platform or actions. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources and conduct their own research for comprehensive understanding.
The creators of this content are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this information.