Italian Liberal Party (1997)#Back in Parliament
{{Short description|Italian political party}}
{{For|the party with the same name which was active from 1922 to 1994|Italian Liberal Party}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Italian Liberal Party
| native_name = Partito Liberale Italiano
| colorcode = {{party color|Italian Liberal Party (1997)}}
| logo = PLI Logo.jpg
| leader1_title = Secretary
| leader1_name = Roberto Sorcinelli
| leader2_title = President
| leader2_name = Francesco Pasquali
| foundation = {{start date and age|1997|7|4|df=y}}
| headquarters = Via Romagna 26, 00187 Rome, Lazio
| newspaper = [http://www.rivoluzione-liberale.it/ Rivoluzione liberale]
| membership_year =
| split = Union of the Centre
| predecessor = Italian Liberal Party
| youth_wing = Italian Liberal Youth
| membership =
| ideology = Liberalism
| position = Centre{{cite web | url=https://www.ivg.it/2021/02/amministrative-2021-il-partito-liberale-si-presenta-con-forza-di-centro/ | title=Amministrative 2021, il partito Liberale si presenta come forza di centro - IVG.it | date=February 2021 }} to centre-right
| national = {{plainlist|
- House of Freedoms {{small|(2006)}}
- New Pole for Italy {{small|(2011)}}
- Centre-right coalition {{small|(since 2016, with interruptions)}}
}}
| european =
| europarl =
| seats1_title = Chamber of Deputies
| seats1 = {{Composition bar|0|400|hex={{party color|Italian Liberal Party (1997)}}}}
| seats2_title = Senate
| seats2 = {{Composition bar|0|200|hex={{party color|Italian Liberal Party (1997)}}}}
| seats3_title = European Parliament
| seats3 = {{Composition bar|0|73|hex={{party color|Italian Liberal Party (1997)}}}}
| seats4_title = Regional Councils
| seats4 = {{Composition bar|0|896|hex={{party color|Italian Liberal Party (1997)}}}}
| website = {{Official URL}}
| country = Italy
}}
The Italian Liberal Party ({{langx|it|Partito Liberale Italiano}}; PLI) is a minor liberal political party in Italy, which considers itself to be the successor of the original Italian Liberal Party (PLI), the Italian main centre-right liberal party that was active in different capacities from 1922 to 1994. Originally named the Liberal Party ({{lang|it|Partito Liberale}}), the new PLI changed its name in 2004. It is not represented in the Italian Parliament.
History
=Foundation and early years=
In July 1997 former members of the Italian Liberal Party (PLI) and, mostly, of the Union of the Centre (UdC), that is to say PLI's main successor, as well as some former Republicans formed the Liberal Party (PL). Most of its leading figures were also members of Forza Italia (FI): Stefano De Luca, Carlo Scognamiglio, Egidio Sterpa, Ernesto Caccavale, Luigi Caligaris and Guglielmo Castagnetti.{{Cite web|url=http://www.radioradicale.it/scheda/88105/assemblea-della-costituente-del-nuovo-partito-liberale|title=Assemblea della Costituente del nuovo Partito Liberale|first=Radio|last=Radicale|date=1 February 1997|website=Radio Radicale|accessdate=17 December 2022}}[http://www.radioradicale.it/scheda/92727/93058-dal-xxii-congresso-del-p-l-i-al-i-congresso-del-p-l-per-riunire-i-liberali-rinnovando-la-tradizione-c "Dal XXII Congresso del P.L.I. al I Congresso del P.L." (4/7/1997)].{{Cite web|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/Archivio/AdnAgenzia/1997/07/05/Politica/LIBERALI-STERPA-PRESIDENTE-DE-LUCA-SEGRETARIO-DEL-PARTITO_184100.php|title=LIBERALI: STERPA PRESIDENTE, DE LUCA SEGRETARIO DEL PARTITO|date=5 July 1997|website=Adnkronos|accessdate=17 December 2022}} Scognamiglio was a former President of the Senate (1994–96), De Luca, Caccavale and Caligaris MEPs, while Sterpa would have been elected to the Chamber of Deputies for FI in 2001.
In December 2004 the party was merged with other liberal groups and, as result, its name was changed to Italian Liberal Party (PLI), along with the claim of being the successor of the historical PLI, disbanded in 1994. At that point the party was completely enfranchised from FI and the centre-right House of Freedoms coalition, even though Sterpa continued to be a deputy within FI's parliamentary group.
In the 2006 Italian general election the PLI shortly rejoined the House of Freedoms. Being present only in a few regions, it obtained 0.3% of the vote.
=Enlargement of the party=
In June 2007, during a party congress, the PLI reaffirmed its autonomy and De Luca was unanimously re-elected secretary. Additionally, some leading former Liberals joined (or re-joined) the party: Carlo Scognamiglio (PLD), Luigi Compagna (UDC) and Luciano Magnalbò (DLI/AN).
For the 2008 general election the PLI tried to form an electoral pact with the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats (UDC),{{Cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/page1/files/94fe9a8485937c01237d4359085d7eb9-226.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229043450/http://www.partitoliberale.it/page1/files/94fe9a8485937c01237d4359085d7eb9-226.html|url-status=dead|title=La Segreteria Nazionale del PLI comunica quanto segue | Comunicati Stampa | Partito Liberale Italiano|archivedate=29 February 2008|access-date=17 December 2022}} but finally chose to run as a stand-alone list.{{cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/ |title=Pli Partito Liberale Italiano |publisher=Partitoliberale.it |access-date=2011-06-12}} Running in a few constituencies, the party obtained 0.3% of the vote and no seats.
In February 2009 the PLI held another congress. Arturo Diaconale, supported by Angelo Caniglia, a group of Liberal Reformers (including Marco Taradash, Emilia Rossi, Carlo Monaco and Pietro Milio) and other newcomers, presented his candidacy for secretary in opposition to De Luca, who was supported by the old guard and by Paolo Guzzanti, a dissenting member of Forza Italia and former Socialist.{{cite web |url=http://www.lastampa.it/_web/cmstp/tmplRubriche/giornalisti/grubrica.asp?ID_blog=14&ID_articolo=364&ID_sezione=&sezione= |title=L'ultima di Guzzanti: salverò il Pli |publisher=Lastampa.it |author=Jacopo Iacoboni |date=2009-01-29 |access-date=2011-06-12 |archive-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202074332/http://lastampa.it/_web/cmstp/tmplRubriche/giornalisti/grubrica.asp?ID_blog=14&ID_articolo=364&ID_sezione=&sezione= |url-status=dead }} De Luca was re-elected with the support of 73% of the delegates, Guzzanti was appointed deputy secretary and Scognamiglio president.{{Cite web|url=http://www.informazione.it/a/EB87B450-E0E0-43E9-92E6-AA8FB07FD534/Pli-De-Luca-rieletto-segretario-Nazionale-del-Partito|title = Pli/ De Luca rieletto segretario Nazionale del Partito|date = 23 February 2009}}{{Cite web|url=http://iovotopli.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/stefano-de-luca-rieletto-segretario-nazionale-del-pli|title = Sito privato}} Diaconale left the party and would later revive the Italian Liberal Right (DLI), along with Giuseppe Basini.
In December 2010 Guzzanti left the party over personal problems with De Luca and became briefly engaged with the New Pole for Italy (NPI).{{cite web |url=http://www.paologuzzanti.it/?p=1641 |title=Rivoluzione Italiana – Il blog di Paolo Guzzanti » Blog Archive » Ho sfiduciato SB secondo coscienza e ho abbandonato il PLI al suo destino piccino e provinciale. Vorrei che questo blog si trasformasse nella nuova casa dei liberali italiani |publisher=Paologuzzanti.it |date=2010-12-14 |language=it |first=Paolo |last=Guzzanti |access-date=2011-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722045258/http://www.paologuzzanti.it/?p=1641 |archive-date=2011-07-22 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2010/dicembre/16/Nasce_Polo_della_nazione_co_9_101216008.shtml |title=Nasce il Polo della nazione |publisher=Archiviostorico.corriere.it |date=2009-12-24 |access-date=2011-06-12}}{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/gennaio/29/Fini_dimissioni_Opzione_che_non_co_8_110129029.shtml |title=Fini: dimissioni? Opzione che non esiste E Bossi invita ad "abbassare i toni" |publisher=Archiviostorico.corriere.it |date=2009-12-24 |access-date=2011-06-12}} In March 2011 the party was joined by two former secretaries of the old PLI, Alfredo Biondi, who had represented FI in Parliament from 1994 to 2006, and Renato Altissimo.{{cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/pli-il-consiglio-nazionale-saluta-il-ritorno-di-altissimo-biondi-e-musso/ |title=PLI: Il Consiglio Nazionale saluta il ritorno di Altissimo, Biondi e Musso « Partito Liberale Italiano |publisher=Partitoliberale.it |date=2011-03-05 |access-date=2011-06-12}}
=Back in Parliament=
In 2011 the PLI was joined by Enrico Musso, a senator of The People of Freedom (PdL), who was soon appointed deputy secretary of party. Through Musso the party re-joined the NPI.
In November 2011 five disgruntled deputies of the PdL (Roberto Antonione, Giustina Destro, Fabio Gava, Giancarlo Pittelli, who later left, and Luciano Sardelli) joined the party through the Liberals for Italy (LpI).{{Cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2011/novembre/13/Nuovo_nome_per_gli_scontenti_co_8_111113026.shtml|title = Archivio Corriere della Sera}} Another former member of the PdL, Angelo Santori, joined the "Liberals for Italy–PLI" sub-group in April 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://www.camera.it/217?idGruppo=472&idGruppoMisto=1169&tipoVis=2#g1169 |title=Italian Parliament |access-date=12 April 2012 |archive-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310081424/http://www.camera.it/217?idGruppo=472&idGruppoMisto=1169&tipoVis=2#g1169 |url-status=dead }}
In March 2012, in the run-up of a congress, Scognamiglio, Biondi and Altissimo proposed Musso as new secretary and De Luca as president.{{Cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/lettera-aperta-altissimo-biondi-scognamiglio/|title=Lettera Aperta Altissimo, Biondi, Scognamiglio|date=25 February 2012}} The proposal was not well received by the party's old guard and, not only De Luca was barely re-elected secretary, but Scognamiglio was replaced as president by Enzo Palumbo.{{cite web | url=http://www.rivoluzione-liberale.it/congresso-pli-de-luca-confermato-segretario-nazionale/ | title=Congresso PLI, De Luca confermato Segretario Nazionale | date=26 March 2012 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/lettera-aperta-ai-liberali/|title=Lettera aperta ai liberali|date=26 March 2012}} In the 2012 municipal election in Genoa, Musso obtained 15.0% of the vote in the first round, as joint NPI candidate, and 40.3% in the run-off, losing to Marco Doria.{{Cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/Speciali/Politica/2012/elezioni12/SEAS/amministrative/comunali/20120506000000_2_COMUNE_34_250.shtml|title = Corriere.it - Amministrative 2012}}
In November 2012, a group of deputies (Isabella Bertolini, Gaetano Pecorella, Giorgio Stracquadanio (who had left earlier), Franco Stradella and Roberto Tortoli) broke away from the PdL and formed Free Italy (IL).{{Cite web|url=http://tv.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2012/11/22/strappo-pdl-nasce-italia-libera-stracquadanio-samori-piu-a-sinistra-di-ferrando/211760/|title = Strappo PDL, nasce 'Italia libera': 'Samorì? Più a sinistra di Ferrando'|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|date = 22 November 2012}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.quotidiano.net/politica/2012/11/22/806215-pdl-5-fedelissimi-fondano-italia-libera-bertolini-stracquadanio.shtml|title=Crisi Pdl, 5 'fedelissimi' di Berlusconi se ne vanno e fondano 'Italia libera'|date=22 November 2012|website=Quotidiano Nazionale|access-date=17 December 2022}} According to Bertolini, the reason for the split was the attitude of the PdL toward Mario Monti's government, as the party approved all government measures but at the same time bitterly contested them in public communication.{{Cite web|url=https://www.modenatoday.it/politica/isabella-bertolini-italia-libera.html|title=Addio al Pdl: Isabella Bertolini fonda Italia Libera|website=ModenaToday|access-date=17 December 2022}} In December 2012 the LpI–PLI joined forces with IL and formed a 10-strong sub-group.{{Cite web |url=http://www.camera.it/217?idGruppo=472 |title=Italian Parliament |access-date=12 April 2012 |archive-date=22 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022135640/http://www.camera.it/217?idGruppo=472 |url-status=dead }}
In the 2013 general election, the PLI ran with the wording "Liberals for Italy", getting 0.1% of the vote.
In June 2013 Guzzanti re-joined the PLI{{Cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/direzione-nazionale-del-13-giugno-2013/#.Um-wcVPhepM|title = Direzione Nazionale del 13 giugno 2013|date = 13 June 2013}} and was soon elected at the head of the party's national council.{{Cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/consiglio-nazionale-liberale/|title = Consiglio Nazionale Liberale|date = 21 September 2013}}
In February 2014 several disillusioned members or former members of the party, including Altissimo, Biondi, Musso and Scognamiglio, plus Edoardo Croci, Giuliano Urbani and Alessandro Ortis, launched The Liberals as an alternative to the PLI,{{cite web |url=http://www.agenparl.it/articoli/news/politica/20140222-liberali-biondi-altissimo-scognamiglio-e-urbani-danno-vito-a-movimento-politico |title=LIBERALI: BIONDI ALTISSIMO SCOGNAMIGLIO e URBANI DANNO VITO a MOVIMENTO POLITICO - AgenParl - Agenzia Parlamentare per l'informazione politica ed economica |access-date=2014-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307214132/http://www.agenparl.it/articoli/news/politica/20140222-liberali-biondi-altissimo-scognamiglio-e-urbani-danno-vito-a-movimento-politico |archive-date=2014-03-07|df=dmy-all }} but the new group acted more as think tank than an actual party.
In the run-up of the 2014 European Parliament election the PLI joined the European Choice (SE) list, led by Civic Choice (SC).{{Cite web|url = http://www.partitoliberale.it/il-pli-con-alde/|title = Il PLI con l'ALDE|date = 18 April 2014|access-date = 20 April 2014|archive-date = 21 April 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140421051143/http://www.partitoliberale.it/il-pli-con-alde/|url-status = dead}} This decision, strongly supported by De Luca, prompted Guzzanti to leave the party{{Cite web |url=http://www.paologuzzanti.it/?p=2110 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-04-20|df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064434/http://www.paologuzzanti.it/?p=2110 |archive-date=2014-04-21 |url-status=dead }} and stand as candidate for the newly-reformed Forza Italia (FI),{{Cite web |url=http://www.unita.it/politica/europee-berlusconi-forza-italia-liste-candidati-ncd-alfano-fuoriusciti--1.564092 |title=Forza Italia, oggi le liste. Sorpresa Cecchi Paone e Guzzanti - Politica - l'Unità - notizie online lavoro, recensioni, cinema, musica |access-date=2014-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419073552/http://www.unita.it/politica/europee-berlusconi-forza-italia-liste-candidati-ncd-alfano-fuoriusciti--1.564092 |archive-date=2014-04-19 |url-status=dead|df=dmy-all }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.paologuzzanti.it/?p=2119 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064256/http://www.paologuzzanti.it/?p=2119 |archive-date=2014-04-21|df=dmy-all |url-status=dead }} and eventually De Luca to step down as secretary.{{Cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/il-mio-saluto-ai-liberali-italiani/|title = Il mio saluto ai liberali italiani|date = 23 April 2014}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/consiglio-nazionale-del-12-04-2014/|title = Consiglio Nazionale del 12.04.2014|date = 13 April 2014}}
In October 2014, during a party congress, the PLI elected a new leadership, notably including Giancarlo Morandi as secretary, De Luca president and Daniele Toto, a former deputy of the PdL and Future and Freedom (FLI), coordinator.{{cite web |url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/10480/comunicati/10480.html |title=CONCLUSI I LAVORI DEL XXIX CONGRESSO NAZIONALE DEL PLI|work=Partito Liberale Italiano|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011134405/http://www.partitoliberale.it/10480/comunicati/10480.html |archive-date=2014-10-11}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.agenparl.com/?p=101031|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011013023/http://www.agenparl.com/?p=101031|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 October 2014|title=Pli: Giancarlo Morandi Riconfermato Segretario Nazionale del Partito | Agenparl Agenparl}} The day after the congress, the PLI mourned the death of Carla Martino, long-time president of the party, later honorary president and sister of FI's leading liberal Antonio Martino.{{cite web |url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/10490/comunicati/carla-i-liberali-non-ti-dimenticheranno.html |title=Carla, i liberali non ti dimenticheranno {{!}} Partito Liberale Italiano |website=www.partitoliberale.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011191520/http://www.partitoliberale.it/10490/comunicati/carla-i-liberali-non-ti-dimenticheranno.html |archive-date=2014-10-11|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web | url=http://senato.archivioluce.it/senato-luce/scheda/foto/IL0030000748/11/Antonio-Martino-in-piedi-accanto-al-padre-e-alla-sorella-Carla-di-spalle-in-occasione-del-saggio-di-equitazione-a-villa-Borghese-piano-americano.html?indexPhoto=6 | title=Antonio Martino, in piedi, accanto al padre e alla sorella Carla, di spalle, in occasione del saggio di equitazione a villa Borghese - piano americano - Fondo VEDO - Scheda fotografica - Istituto Luce - Cinecittà - Senato della Repubblica }} In November Ivan Catalano, a dissident deputy of the Five Star Movement (M5S), joined the PLI, marking its return to Parliament.{{cite web |url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/10757/comunicati/lon-ivan-catalano-ha-aderito-al-pli.html |title=L'On. Ivan Catalano ha aderito al PLI {{!}} Partito Liberale Italiano |website=www.partitoliberale.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924064716/http://www.partitoliberale.it/10757/comunicati/lon-ivan-catalano-ha-aderito-al-pli.html |archive-date=2015-09-24}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ilvelino.it/it/article/2014/11/20/camera-i-catalano-aderisco-a-componente-pli-per-portare-idee-liberali-in-parlamento/3210927b-ff6f-4be6-aa6c-fd01cba729f8/|title = Articolo dall'Archivio Storico}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.radioradicale.it/scheda/427027/il-partito-liberale-italiano-ritorna-in-parlamento-intervista-a-ivan-catalano-vicepresidente-della-commiss|title = Il Partito Liberale Italiano ritorna in Parlamento: Intervista a Ivan Catalano, vicepresidente della Commissione Trasporti della Camera|date = 23 November 2014}} A few months later, in March 2015, Catalano was expelled from the party for having joined the parliamentary group of SC.{{cite web |url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/11528/comunicati/lon-catalano-non-e-piu-un-deputato-del-pli.html |title=L'On. Catalano non è più deputato del PLI {{!}} Partito Liberale Italiano |website=www.partitoliberale.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407002355/http://www.partitoliberale.it/11528/comunicati/lon-catalano-non-e-piu-un-deputato-del-pli.html |archive-date=2015-04-07}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.formiche.net/2015/04/03/il-pli-espelle-catalano-passato-scelta-civica-facchettin-fvg-chiede-il-bastone-comando/|title = Il PLI espelle Catalano (Entrato in Scelta Civica) e Facchettin (FVG) chiede il bastone di comando|date = 3 April 2015}}
=From centre to centre-right=
In the 2016 municipal election in Rome the PLI, which supported Giorgia Meloni of Brothers of Italy (FdI) for mayor, obtained 0.9% of the vote.{{Cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/static/speciale/2016/elezioni/comunali/roma.html?refresh_cens|title = Comune di Roma - Lazio - Elezioni Comunali - Risultati - Ballottaggio - 5 giugno 2016}}
In December 2016 Cinzia Bonfrisco (ex-PSI/FI/PdL/FI/CoR) joined the PLI, giving it representation in the Senate.[https://archive.today/20161215175903/http://www.partitoliberale.it/13515/comunicati/liberali-ritornano-al-senato.html Liberali ritornano al Senato] {{cite web |url=http://www.partitoliberale.it/13566/attivita-del-pli/direzione-nazionale-la-senatrice-bonfrisco-si-iscrive-al-pli.html |title=Direzione Nazionale: la senatrice Bonfrisco si iscrive al PLI - Partito Liberale Italiano |website=www.partitoliberale.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222034746/http://www.partitoliberale.it/13566/attivita-del-pli/direzione-nazionale-la-senatrice-bonfrisco-si-iscrive-al-pli.html |archive-date=2016-12-22|df=dmy-all}}
In May 2017 the party's congress re-elected Morandi and De Luca as secretary and president, respectively. Additionally, Scognamiglio and Basini were appointed honorary presidents.{{cite web |url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/14244/attivita-del-pli/comunicato-del-30-congresso-nazionale.html |title=Speciale 30° Congresso Nazionale - Partito Liberale Italiano |website=www.partitoliberale.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809193329/https://www.partitoliberale.it/14244/attivita-del-pli/comunicato-del-30-congresso-nazionale.html |archive-date=2017-08-09}} Scognamiglio's election marked the return into the party of most of The Liberals, while Basini's the return of the "Liberal Right" or "National-Liberal" faction. Also in May, Bonfrisco was a founding member, along with Identity and Action (IdeA), of the moderate centre-right Federation of Freedom (FdL) group.{{Cite web|url=http://www.senato.it/leg/17/BGT/Schede/GruppiStorici/00000080.htm|title=Composizione del Gruppo cs.dizioneGruppo nella|website= Senato.it}}
In the run-up of the 2018 general election the PLI officially joined the centre-right coalition, through an electoral agreement with Lega Nord (LN).{{Cite web|url=https://www.agenziagiornalisticaopinione.it/lancio-dagenzia/lega-elezioni-raggiunto-laccordo-partito-liberale-italiano|title=LEGA * ELEZIONI: 'RAGGIUNTO l'ACCORDO CON IL PARTITO LIBERALE ITALIANO' |work=Agenzia giornalistica Opinione. Quotidiano on-line notizie dal Trentino|date=31 January 2018|access-date=1 February 2018|archive-date=2 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202190130/https://www.agenziagiornalisticaopinione.it/lancio-dagenzia/lega-elezioni-raggiunto-laccordo-partito-liberale-italiano/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.opinione.it/politica/2018/02/08/giuseppe-basini_liberali-elezioni-lega-centrodestra-salvini|title=I liberali e la Lega|date=8 February 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.opinione.it/editoriali/2020/03/10/giuseppe-basini_replica-a-stefano-de-luca-pli-destra-liberale-sinistra-divisioni-distanze|title = Perché i liberali di destra|date = 10 March 2020}} The LN, rebranded simply as "Lega", obtained 17.4% of the vote and two Liberals were elected from its slates: Basini to the Chamber and Bonfrisco to the Senate, both from Lazio.{{cite web |url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/15798/attivita-del-pli/i-liberali-tornano-ad-essere-eletti-in-parlamento.html |title=I liberali tornano ad essere eletti in Parlamento {{!}} Partito Liberale Italiano |website=www.partitoliberale.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310211450/https://www.partitoliberale.it/15798/attivita-del-pli/i-liberali-tornano-ad-essere-eletti-in-parlamento.html |archive-date=2018-03-10|df=dmy-all}} Also De Luca stood as a candidate (he headed Lega's list in Naples),{{cite web |url=http://www.metropolisweb.it/news/elezioni-candidati-in-campania-presentate-liste-m5s-e-fi-e-leu/34207.html |title=Elezioni: Candidati in Campania, presentate liste M5s e FI e LeU | Politica | Metropolis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014522/http://www.metropolisweb.it/news/elezioni-candidati-in-campania-presentate-liste-m5s-e-fi-e-leu/34207.html |archive-date=14 February 2018 |url-status=dead}} but was not elected. Soon as in 2009 the PLI's alignment with the Lega was no longer fully clear, but Basini continued to sit within the party's group in the Chamber and Bonfrisco was elected to the European Parliament in the 2019 European Parliament election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.larena.it/territori/citta/con-borchia-e-zullo-eletta-in-europa-anche-la-bonfrisco-1.7361351|title=Con Borchia e Zullo eletta in Europa anche la Bonfrisco|first1=Società Athesis|last1=S.p.A|first2=Società Athesis|last2=S.p.A|date=28 May 2019|website=L'Arena.it|access-date=17 December 2022}} The PLI's congress was supposed to be held in late 2019,{{cite web |url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/17014/attivita-del-pli/congresso-nazionale-2930-novembre-e-1-dicembre-2019.html |title=Congresso Nazionale - 29,30 novembre e 1 dicembre 2019 - Partito Liberale Italiano |website=www.partitoliberale.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924140047/https://www.partitoliberale.it/17014/attivita-del-pli/congresso-nazionale-2930-novembre-e-1-dicembre-2019.html |archive-date=2020-09-24|df=dmy-all}} but was later postponed.
In March 2020 the congress was finally held. Secretary Morandi left the party a few days before the assembly was convened in Rome.{{cite web |url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/17332/attivita-del-pli/una-prova-di-resistenza-della-democrazia.html |title=Una prova di resistenza della democrazia - Partito Liberale Italiano |website=www.partitoliberale.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813030053/https://www.partitoliberale.it/17332/attivita-del-pli/una-prova-di-resistenza-della-democrazia.html |archive-date=2020-08-13|df=dmy-all}} After the congress, the new leadership still included De Luca as president and Scognamiglio as honorary president, while those members who had been more involved in the alliance with the Lega, notably including the other incumbent honorary president, senator Basini, were no longer mentioned in the party's website. Morandi was replaced by a three-person secretariat, composed of Nicola Fortuna, Claudio Gentile and Roberto Sorcinelli.{{cite web | url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/struttura-nazionale | title=Struttura nazionale | access-date=7 March 2020 | archive-date=21 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521190642/https://www.partitoliberale.it/struttura-nazionale | url-status=dead }} Basini and Bonfrisco revived the DLI as an associate party of the LN and then of Lega per Salvini Premier (LSP).
In July 2022 the party's council removed president De Luca and co-secretary Fortuna, who supported an electoral pact with Action, in order to pursue an alliance with the centre-right.{{cite web | url=https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/politica/mai-calenda-e-sinistra-colpa-sua-scontro-interno-pli-2055437.html | title="Mai con Calenda e con la sinistra. Per colpa sua uno scontro interno al Pli" | date=August 2022 }} De Luca was replaced by Francesco Pasquali, while Sorcinelli became the party's sole secretary.{{cite web | url=https://agenziastampaitalia.it/politica/politica-nazionale/61867-elezioni-pli-pasquali-nuovo-presidente-al-segretario-sorcinelli-compito-interlocuzioni-passalina-my-a-sinistra-2 | title=Elezioni, PLI, Pasquali nuovo presidente. Al segretario Sorcinelli compito interlocuzioni. Passa linea mai sinistra | date=30 July 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/terremoto-nel-partito-liberale-sfiducia-a-de-luca-e-fortuna-sorcinelli-segretario-con-pieni-poteri-apertura-al-centrodestra-2 | title=Terremoto Nel Partito Liberale: Sfiducia a De Luca e Fortuna, Sorcinelli Segretario Con Pieni Poteri. Apertura al Centrodestra | date=30 July 2022 }} De Luca deemed the conuncil's convocation and deliberation as illegitimate{{cite web |url=https://www.isimbolidelladiscordia.it/2022/08/e-se-al-viminale-il-simbolo-del-pli.html?m=1 | title=E se al Viminale il simbolo del Pli finisse due volte in bacheca? |date=6 August 2022 }} and his associate Giulia Pantaleo, leader of the Italian Liberal Youth, tried to register the symbol of the PLI on De Luca's behalf:{{cite web | url=http://www.isimbolidelladiscordia.it/2022/08/elezioni-politiche-2022-i-simboli-uno.html | title= Elezioni politiche 2022: i simboli uno per uno | date=12 August 2022 }} the request was rejected in favour of Sorcinelli's PLI.{{cite web | url=http://www.isimbolidelladiscordia.it/2022/08/simboli-lufficio-elettorale-nazionale.html | title=Simboli, l'Ufficio elettorale nazionale rigetta tutte le opposizioni }} In the 2022 general election the PLI supported FI,{{cite web | url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/elezioni-sorcinelli-a-calenda-giu-mani-da-simbolo-e-storia-pli | title=Elezioni: Sorcinelli a Calenda, giù mani da simbolo e storia Pli | date=22 September 2022 }} but former prosecutor Carlo Nordio, a leading member of the party,{{cite web |url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/struttura-nazionale |title=Struttura nazionale - Partito Liberale Italiano |publisher=Partitoliberale.it |date= |access-date=2022-08-28 |archive-date=21 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521190642/https://www.partitoliberale.it/struttura-nazionale |url-status=dead }} was a successful candidate for the Brothers of Italy (FdI) in Veneto.{{cite web |url=https://tfnews.it/fdi-presenta-liste-pera-nordio-tremonti |title=Fdi presenta le liste. Fra i nomi Pera, Nordio e Tremonti |publisher=Tfnews.it |date=2022-08-22 |access-date=2022-08-28|df=dmy-all}} A few days before the election, during a party congress, Sorcinelli and Pasquali were confirmed as secretary and president, respectively.{{cite web | url=https://www.partitoliberale.it/pli-concluso-il-xxxii-congresso-confermati-sorcinelli-alla-segreteria-nazionale-e-pasquali-alla-presidenza | title=Pli, Concluso Il Xxxii Congresso. Confermati Sorcinelli Alla Segreteria Nazionale e Pasquali Alla Presidenza | date=23 September 2022 }}
In June 2023 Guzzanti returned to the party and was appointed deputy secretary.{{cite web | url=https://partitoliberale.it/paolo-guzzanti-il-grande-ritorno | title=Paolo Guzzanti, Il Grande Ritorno | date=3 July 2023 }}
Leadership
- Secretary: Stefano De Luca (1997–2014), Giancarlo Morandi (2014–2020), Nicola Fortuna (2020–2022), Claudio Gentile (2020–2022), Roberto Sorcinelli (2020–present)
- Deputy Secretary: Luigi Compagna (1997–2004), Attilio Bastianini (2000–2004), Savino Melillo (2000–2004), Salvatore Grillo (2007–2008), Paolo Guzzanti (2009–2010), Enrico Musso (2011–2012), Simone Santucci (2016), Giuseppe Zecchillo (2022–2023), Paolo Guzzanti (2023–present)
- Coordinator: Angelo Caniglia (2008–2009), Roberto Petrassi (2009–2010), Mario Caputi (2010–2012), Edoardo De Blasio (2013–2014), Daniele Toto (2014–2015), Massimo Rodighiero (2022–present)
- Treasurer: Savino Melillo (2007–2008), Maurizio Irti (2010–2012), Giancarlo Morandi (2012–2014), Claudio Vitali (2014–2020), Francesco Pasquali (2020–present)
- President: Egidio Sterpa (1997–2000), Carla Martino (2000–2009), Carlo Scognamiglio (2009–2012), Enzo Palumbo (2012–2014), Stefano De Luca (2014–2022), Francesco Pasquali (2022–present)
- President of the National Council: Giuseppe Basini (2004–2008), Carlo Scognamiglio (2008–2009), Enzo Palumbo (2009–2012), Renata Jannuzzi (2012–2013), Paolo Guzzanti (2013–2014), Antonio Pileggi (2014–2018), Giuseppe Basini (2018–2020), Antonio Vox (2020), Diego Di Pierro (2022–present)
- Honorary President: Gianfranco Ciaurro (1997–2000), Carla Martino (2009–2014), Giuseppe Basini (2017–2020), Carlo Scognamiglio (2017–2022)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.partitoliberale.it Official website]
{{Italian political parties}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Italian Liberal Party (Current)}}
Category:Classical liberal parties
Category:Conservative liberal parties
Category:Liberal parties in Italy