Veneto State

The party was founded on 12 September 2010 in Cadoneghe (Padua) by the merger of the Venetian National Party (PNV) and the Party of the Venetians (PdV), that is two say the two main independentist parties in Veneto at the time (the largest Venetist party, Liga Veneta–Lega Nord, was not overtly separatist). VS was joined also by many members of North-East Project (PNE), in particular the majority of members from the provincial section of Padua, led by Umberto Cocco.

The congress, opened by the greetings sent by Eva Klotz (leader of South Tyrolean Freedom) and by Gavino Sale (leader of Independence Republic of Sardinia), was attended by Walter Kaswalder (president of the Trentino Tyrolean Autonomist Party), Federico Simeoni (Friulian Front) and other guests. Lodovico Pizzati, outgoing president of the PNV, was elected secretary of the new party, Giustino Cherubin (PdV) president and Gianluca Busato (PNV) treasurer.{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2010/09/nasce-veneto-stato-pizzati-segretario-e-cherubin-presidente/ |title=Nasce VENETO STATO: Pizzati segretario e Cherubin presidente | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}} More importantly, the new party saw the participation of Venetist heavyweights such as Alessio Morosin and Silvano Polo.

In November 2010 Antonio Guadagnini, a former member of the Union of Christian and Centre Democrats and Liga Veneto Autonomo, announced that he had joined the party and that he would stand as candidate for President of the Province of Treviso in the 2011 provincial election.{{cite web|url=http://corrieredelveneto.corriere.it/veneto/notizie/politica/2010/6-novembre-2010/guadagini-abbraccia-veneto-stato-pronto-le-provinciali-treviso-1804110465623.shtml |title=Guadagnini abbraccia Veneto Stato ŤPronto per le provinciali di Trevisoť - Corriere del Veneto |publisher=Corrieredelveneto.corriere.it |date=2013-08-07 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2010/11/antonio-guadagnini-aderisce-a-veneto-stato-per-l%e2%80%99indipendenza/ |title=www.venetostato.com |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}} In the election Guadagnini won just 1.5% of the vote (+0.6% from the sum of PNV and PdV results in 2010),{{Cite web |url=http://provinciali.interno.it/provinciali/amm110515/P084.htm |title=Provincia di TREVISO Elezioni Provinciali del 15 - 16 maggio 2011 - Ministero dell'Interno |access-date=2017-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311040825/http://provinciali.interno.it/provinciali/amm110515/P084.htm |archive-date=2012-03-11 |url-status=dead }} and did better in the eastern part of the province (traditionally a stronghold of LV–LN), and especially in Crespano del Grappa (8.9%), Paderno del Grappa (5.2%), Fonte (4.9%) and Borso del Grappa (3.6%), which was enough for the party to celebrate.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/05/lattivita-a-treviso-continua-siamo-un-treno-in-corsa/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=19 May 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}

In the second half of 2011, VS started to rise in opinion polls up to 5%. The party started to receive media coverage and its membership rose to 1,500 members by the end of September. However, the party experienced some internal infighting during the summer culminating in an early congress in October. On one side there was the group coming from the PdV (Patrik Riondato, Giustino Cherubin, Silvano Polo), on the other secretary Lodovico Pizzati and the majority of those who had been likewise members of the PNV (Gianluca Busato, Alessio Morosin, Paolo Bernardini, Gianluca Panto, Claudio Ghiotto, Alessia Bellon, Luca Schenato).{{cite web|url=http://www.linkiesta.it/dal-veneto-con-furore-alla-conquista-dell-indipendenza |title=Dal Veneto con furore, alla conquista dell'indipendenza |publisher=Linkiesta.it |date= 2011-10-10|access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/07/messaggio-di-patrik-riondato/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=30 July 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/07/messaggio-di-gianluca-busato/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=30 July 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/07/pensiero-post-riunione/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=31 July 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}

Those behind Pizzati represented the libertarian and modernizing wing of the party, while those led by Riondato were more traditional Venetists, Christian and social democrats. There were also clashes over the form of party, the relations with other Venetist parties, groups and associations, and Pizzati's style of leadership (too centralistic according to his opponents).{{cite web|url=http://onthenord.wordpress.com/2011/10/22/passaggio-a-nord-est-13-una-domenica-da-leoni/ |title=Passaggio a Nord-Est (13) – Una domenica da leoni | Cronache dal nord Italia |publisher=Onthenord.wordpress.com |date=2011-10-22 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/strategia-per-l%e2%80%99indipendenza-sei-motivi-concreti-per-cui-sto-con-lodovico-pizzati/ |title=Strategia per l'indipendenza. Sei motivi concreti per cui sto con Lodovico Pizzati | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2011-10-22 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/21/linee-politiche/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720205221/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/21/linee-politiche/ |archive-date=20 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/18/non-vogliamo-un-veneto-stato-solo-anti-leghista/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715090312/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/18/non-vogliamo-un-veneto-stato-solo-anti-leghista/ |archive-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/no-go-la-bacheta-magica-e-forse-le-motivasion-le-xe-altre/ |title=No gò la bacheta magica e forse le motivasion le xè altre | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}} At some point, there was a real chance that three separate congresses would take place, one in Vicenza, one in Treviso and one in Cadoneghe, and a split looked almost certain.{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/16/trasformiamo-questa-crisi-in-opportunita/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719193038/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/16/trasformiamo-questa-crisi-in-opportunita/ |archive-date=19 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/18/ricapitoliamo-la-situazione-2/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722010342/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/18/ricapitoliamo-la-situazione-2/ |archive-date=22 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/maggior-consiglio-veneto-stato/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=6 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/convocazione-maggior-consiglio-di-veneto-stato/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=8 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/l%e2%80%99eta-porta-consiglio/ |title=L'età porta consiglio? | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/due-parole-un-obiettivo/ |title=due parole un obiettivo | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}} Finally, on 13 October, an agreement was reached on a joint congress.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/vi-chiedo-scusa/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=15 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/candidature-per-il-maggior-consiglio/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=16 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}

Already on 7 October, Antonio Guadagnini surprisingly declared he would challenge Pizzati's leadership{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/guadagnini-in-pista/ |title=Guadagnini in pista | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2012/02/24/lettera-ai-soci-antonio-guadagnini/ |title=Lettera ai Soci - Antonio Guadagnini - Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716104439/http://venetostato.info/blog/2012/02/24/lettera-ai-soci-antonio-guadagnini/ |archive-date=16 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} and, a couple of days later, unveiled a tax plan which included the abolition of personal income tax and the introduction of a 50% tax on gains and savings.{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/la-riforma-di-guadagnini-tasse-al-50-sui-risparmi-e-sugli-utili/ |title=La riforma di Guadagnini: tasse al 50% sui risparmi e sugli utili | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/13/guadagnini-busato/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715195254/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/13/guadagnini-busato/ |archive-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} The proposal was labeled by his opponents as socialist.{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/scure-guadagnini-una-proposta-funerea/ |title=Scure Guadagnini, una proposta funerea | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/cosa-non-va-nella-proposta-guadagnini-secondo-me/ |title=Cosa non va nella proposta Guadagnini, secondo me | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}} Soon after the agreement on the congress was reached, Morosin, close to Pizzati, declared he was running to become party president.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/maggior-consiglio-alessio-morosin-candidato-presidente-di-veneto-stato/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=16 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}} Lucio Chiavegato, LIFE activist and former member of the PNV, decided to run for president in ticket with Guadagnini instead.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/guadagnini-e-chiavegato-si-candidano-alla-guida-del-partito/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=17 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/15/diavolo-e-acqua-santa-uniti-per-veneto-stato/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715191102/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/15/diavolo-e-acqua-santa-uniti-per-veneto-stato/ |archive-date=15 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} Pizzati and Morosin were endorsed by Busato,{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/io-sto-con-pizzati/ |title=Io sto con Pizzati | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}} Bellon,{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/io-sto-con-il-segretario-di-veneto-stato-io-sto-con-lodovico-pizzati/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=19 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}} Panto, most former PNV members and the provincial section of Brescia,{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/perche-sto-con-pizzati/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=19 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}} while Guadganini and Chiavegato had the support of most former PdV members and the provincial sections of Verona, Vicenza and Rovigo.{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/22/verona-rovigo-e-vicenza-sostengono-guadagnini-e-chivegato/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718023146/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/22/verona-rovigo-e-vicenza-sostengono-guadagnini-e-chivegato/ |archive-date=18 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} From outside of the party, Chiavegato was endorsed also by Fabio Padovan, historic leader of LIFE and long-time Venetist,{{cite web|url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/21/anche-fabio-padovan-con-lucio-chiavegato/ |access-date=April 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426010940/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/21/anche-fabio-padovan-con-lucio-chiavegato/ |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |title=Google }} and by Flavio Faccia and Flavio Contin of the Venetian Most Serene Government{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/19/faccia-e-contin-serenissimi-appoggiano-chiavegato-presidente/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723173359/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/19/faccia-e-contin-serenissimi-appoggiano-chiavegato-presidente/ |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} (Christian Contin de facto supported Morosin instead).{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/cristian-contin-serenissimo-alessio-morosin-e-un-vero-patriota-ma-soprattutto-un-fratello/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=21 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}

On 23 October the congress took place.{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/23/piccoli-scatti-per-una-grande-giornata/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720143732/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/23/piccoli-scatti-per-una-grande-giornata/ |archive-date=20 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} The credentials of some delegates from Venice and Brescia, all supporters of Pizzati, were refused and Polo, who presided over the assembly, refused some motions presented by Pizzati's supporters on the interpretation of the party's constitution. There was no vote on Pizzati, as he and his supporters expected, and it was not possible to present other candidates to party leadership. Subsequently, Guadagnini and Chiavegato were narrowly elected secretary and president of VS, respectively, Massimo Busato (another former PNV member now with Guadagnini) was elected treasurer, and the main organs of the party were filled by Guadagnini's supporters.{{cite web|url=http://tribunatreviso.gelocal.it/cronaca/2011/10/24/news/veneto-stato-guadagnini-e-il-segretario-1.1618779 |title=Veneto Stato Guadagnini è il segretario - Cronaca - la Tribuna di Treviso |publisher=Tribunatreviso.gelocal.it |date=2011-10-24 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/24/ecco-i-nuovi-organi-di-veneto-stato/ |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716032612/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/10/24/ecco-i-nuovi-organi-di-veneto-stato/ |archive-date=16 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/wordpress/2011/10/plebiscito/ |title=www.venetostato.com |date=24 October 2011 |publisher=www.venetostato.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/in-bocca-al-lupo/ |title=In bocca al lupo | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |date=12 September 2010 |publisher=Pnveneto.org |access-date=2013-08-11}} Polo's conduct was heavily criticized by Pizzati's supporters, who felt the assembly was not democratic. A split eventually occurred as leading libertarians such as Ghiotto and Schenato decided to quit the party by the end of the day.{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/una-giornata-da-dimenticare/ |title=Una giornata da dimenticare | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/10/s-ciao-mio/ |title=S-ciao mio | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}}

In November VS received some national attention for a demonstration against Equitalia, the Italian revenue collector service,{{cite web|author=Roberta Polese |url=http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2011/11/26/padova-imprenditore-suicida-crisi-esplode-rabbia-contro-equitalia/ |title=Padova, imprenditore suicida per crisi Esplode la rabbia contro Equitalia - Il Fatto Quotidiano |publisher=Ilfattoquotidiano.it |date=2011-11-26 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lettera43.it/politica/32585/quelli-contro-le-tasse.htm |title=Quelli contro le tasse - POLITICA |publisher=Lettera43.it |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/891608/Veneto-dramma-della-crisi-imprenditori-record-suicidi.html |title=Veneto, dramma della crisi: imprenditori, record suicidi - veneto, suicidi, imprenditori, crisi, edile, ristoratrice, pagamenti, stato, vergogna, alessandro gonzato - Libero Quotidiano |publisher=Liberoquotidiano.it |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ilgiornaledivicenza.it/stories/Cronaca/314706__veneto_stato_in_piazza_per_protestare_contro_roma/ |title=Home - Cronaca |publisher=Il Giornale di Vicenza.it |access-date=2013-08-11}} but internal infighting was not over.

On 15 November 2011, after Guadagnini sacked him as party leader in the province of Padua, Stefano Venturato formed an autonomous provincial group.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/io-sto-con-la-democrazia/ |access-date=November 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608223732/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/io-sto-con-la-democrazia/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |title=Io sto con la democrazia | Veneto Stato diventa INDIPENDENZA VENETA }}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/io-sto-con-venturato/ |access-date=November 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608223922/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/io-sto-con-venturato/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |title=Io sto con Venturato | Veneto Stato diventa INDIPENDENZA VENETA }} Two days later, the entire provincial section of Brescia left in protest.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/so-long-and-thank-you-for-all-the-fish-addio-e-grazie-per-tutto-il-pesce-e-tratto-da-un-libro-nda/ |access-date=November 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608224007/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/so-long-and-thank-you-for-all-the-fish-addio-e-grazie-per-tutto-il-pesce-e-tratto-da-un-libro-nda/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |title=SO LONG AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE FISH / Addio e grazie per tutto il pesce (E' tratto da un libro, nda) | Veneto Stato diventa INDIPENDENZA VENETA }} On 18 November, the Council of Ten expelled Pizzati, G. Busato and Venturato.{{cite web|url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/11/22/in-merito-al-marchio-e-ai-provvedimenti-disciplinari-nel-partito/ |access-date=April 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426010914/http://venetostato.info/blog/2011/11/22/in-merito-al-marchio-e-ai-provvedimenti-disciplinari-nel-partito/ |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |title=Google }} As a response, Pizzati, as "legal secretary", decided to call a new congress of the party on the grounds that the October congress had been not valid, and, in doing that, he was endorsed by some 100 members of the party.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/il-ricorso-della-legalita/ |access-date=November 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608224131/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/il-ricorso-della-legalita/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |title=Il ricorso della legalita' | Veneto Stato diventa INDIPENDENZA VENETA }}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/convocazione-maggior-consiglio-di-veneto-stato-2/ |access-date=November 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125164004/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/convocazione-maggior-consiglio-di-veneto-stato-2/ |archive-date=November 25, 2011 |title=Convocazione Maggior Consiglio di Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato }} The move by Pizzati received the support of the sections of Treviso{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/treviso-nord-partecipa-in-blocco-al-maggior-consiglio/ |access-date=November 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608224322/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/treviso-nord-partecipa-in-blocco-al-maggior-consiglio/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |title=Treviso nord partecipa in blocco al Maggior Consiglio | Veneto Stato diventa INDIPENDENZA VENETA }}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/treviso-sud-aderisce-a-veneto-stato-libero-indipendente-democratico/ |access-date=November 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608224356/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/treviso-sud-aderisce-a-veneto-stato-libero-indipendente-democratico/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |title=Treviso sud aderisce a Veneto Stato, Libero, Indipendente, Democratico | Veneto Stato diventa INDIPENDENZA VENETA }} and Brescia, Morosin{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/11/alessio-morosin-il-maggior-consiglio-e-la-celebrazione-massima-della-vitalita-di-veneto-stato/ |title=Alessio Morosin: il Maggior Consiglio è la celebrazione massima della vitalità di Veneto Stato | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date= 2011-11-24|access-date=2013-08-11}} and Venturato.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/stefano-venturato-nuovo-coordinatore-di-veneto-stato-padova-121/ |access-date=November 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608224603/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/11/stefano-venturato-nuovo-coordinatore-di-veneto-stato-padova-121/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |title=Stefano Venturato nuovo coordinatore di Veneto Stato 'Padova 121′ | Veneto Stato diventa INDIPENDENZA VENETA }}

On 11 December the group around Pizzati celebrated a congress in Venice. Pizzati was elected secretary, Bellon president and Cristiano Zanin treasurer.{{cite web|url=http://www.pnveneto.org/2011/12/veneto-stato-riprende-a-volare-con-alessia-bellon-presidente-e-lodovico-pizzati-segretario/ |title=Veneto Stato riprende a volare con Alessia Bellon presidente e Lodovico Pizzati segretario | PLEBISCITO 2013 | PNV. Press News Veneto |publisher=Pnveneto.org |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2011/12/veneto-stato-il-maggior-consiglio-a-venezia-elegge-il-nuovo-presidente-alessia-bellon-e-il-segretario-lodovico-pizzati/ |access-date=December 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608224644/http://www.venetostato.com/2011/12/veneto-stato-il-maggior-consiglio-a-venezia-elegge-il-nuovo-presidente-alessia-bellon-e-il-segretario-lodovico-pizzati/ |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |title=Veneto Stato: Il Maggior Consiglio a Venezia elegge il nuovo presidente Alessia Bellon e il segretario Lodovico Pizzati | Veneto Stato diventa INDIPENDENZA VENETA }}

Since December 2011 the party was thus split in two different groups, both claiming to be the true Veneto State. The break-up was confirmed by the decision of the other group, led by Guadagnini and Chiavegato, to summon a new congress in Vicenza for 22 January, to which Pizzati's followers refused to participate.{{cite web|url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/rifare-veneto-stato-guadagnini-alla-prova-congresso/ |title=Rifare Veneto Stato: Guadagnini Alla Prova Congresso | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2012/01/09/2%C2%B0-congresso-nazionale-22-gennaio-ore-9-00/ |title=2° Congresso Nazionale: 22 gennaio ore 9.30 - Veneto Stato |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717215548/http://venetostato.info/blog/2012/01/09/2%C2%B0-congresso-nazionale-22-gennaio-ore-9-00/ |archive-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}

On 22 January 2012 Guadagnini and Chiavegato were re-elected in their wing's congress, which saw the participation of four times the number of members who participated to the congress organized by Pizzati in December. The convention was also attended by representatives from North-East Union, Venetian People's Unity, European Federalist Free Entrepreneurs, Raixe Venete and other Venetist organizations.{{cite web |url=http://venetostato.info/blog/2012/01/22/400-a-70/%23more-4696#more-4696 |title=- Veneto Stato - Sito ufficiale |website=venetostato.info |access-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903224830/http://venetostato.info/blog/2012/01/22/400-a-70/%23more-4696#more-4696 |archive-date=3 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ilgiornaledivicenza.it/stories/Cronaca/326415_ammainato_il_tricolore_e_veneto_stato_riparte/ |title=Home - Cronaca |publisher=Il Giornale di Vicenza.it |date=2012-01-23 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web |url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/veneto-stato-uniti-si-vince/ |title=VENETO STATO: UNITI SI VINCE | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |date=2011-12-22 |access-date=2013-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603095727/http://www.lindipendenza.com/veneto-stato-uniti-si-vince/ |archive-date=2012-06-03 |url-status=dead }} From the Pizzati's camp, which had organized a big rally on 19 January near Treviso, the reaction was that the Vicenza congress was illegal and that what was born there was "an ethnic and intolerant tiny party".{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2012/01/veneto-stato-e-altra-cosa-dallintolleranza/ |access-date=January 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126073830/http://www.venetostato.com/2012/01/veneto-stato-e-altra-cosa-dallintolleranza/ |archive-date=January 26, 2012 |title=Veneto Stato e' altra cosa dall'intolleranza | VENETO STATO [Sito Web Ufficiale] }}{{cite web|url=http://www.vicenzatoday.it/politica/veneto-stato-scissione.html |title=Scissione in veneto stato |publisher=Vicenzatoday.it |access-date=2013-08-11}}

On 29 March 2012 the tribunal of Venice decided on a lawsuit filed by Chiavegato and Guadagnini: both congresses held after the one in Vicenza were declared not valid.{{Cite web |url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SENTENZAVS.pdf |title=Accoglimento Totale | language=it |access-date=2012-03-30 |archive-date=2012-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412185141/http://www.lindipendenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SENTENZAVS.pdf |url-status=dead }} Guadagnini thus affirmed his victory and offered an olive branch to the other group, saying that in the upcoming local elections he would support the electoral lists filed by the Pizzati's faction in its strongholds (mainly the province of Treviso).{{cite web|url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/venetostatoguadagnini/ |title=Veneto Stato E' Di Guadagnini: Ecco La Sentenza | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |access-date=2013-08-11}} No agreement was however reached.

On 6–7 May VS took part to fourteen municipal contests. Candidates from the official party ran in Verona (0.3%), Cerea (4.6%), San Martino Buon Albergo (4.7%), Sandrigo (5.7%), Sarego (3.7%), Thiene (3.9%), and Piombino Dese (4.3%), while those from the unofficial wing in Loreggia (7.2%), Susegana (10.4%), Silea (3.5%), Conegliano (2.0%), Casale sul Sile (2.2%), Santa Maria di Sala (4.7%), and Mirano (1.6%). In Susegana Davide Pozzobon was elected to the city council.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.com/2012/05/eletto-il-primo-consigliere-per-lindipendenza-veneta/ |access-date=May 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510065522/http://www.venetostato.com/2012/05/eletto-il-primo-consigliere-per-lindipendenza-veneta/ |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |title=Eletto il primo consigliere per l'indipendenza veneta | VENETO STATO [Sito Web Ufficiale] }}

On 12 May, during a demonstration in Venice, Pizzati and his followers launched a new party called Venetian Independence (IV).{{cite web |url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/popolo-manifestazioni-tremendo-xorno/ |title=Un Popolo, Due Manifestazioni: Le Foto Del "Tremendo Xorno" | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |date=2011-12-22 |access-date=2013-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514192504/http://www.lindipendenza.com/popolo-manifestazioni-tremendo-xorno/ |archive-date=2012-05-14 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.indipendenzaveneta.com/ieri-ha-preso-forma-indipendenza-veneta/ |access-date=May 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516013701/http://www.indipendenzaveneta.com/ieri-ha-preso-forma-indipendenza-veneta/ |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |title=Home }}

On 30 September the national congress of the party re-elected secretary Guadagnini, who beat Francesco Falezza, and replaced Chiavegato, who chose to step down, with Giustino Cherubin. More importantly, VS decided by a narrow majority to take part to the 2013 general election, a taboo until that point.{{cite web|url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/veneto-stato-va-alle-politiche-guadagnini-confermato-segretario/ |title=Veneto Stato va alle politiche, Guadagnini confermato segretario | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |date=2011-12-22 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqQof4X13h8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mqQof4X13h8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Venetian delegation's speech in Edinburgh 2012 |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-09-26 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cbignore}} The decision to take part to the election caused the exit of Chiavegato, who would be elected president of the European Federalist Free Entrepreneurs in May 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/life-veneto-ritona-chiavegato/ |title=Torna la L.I.F.E. barricadera. Chiavegato: "Siamo pronti allo scontro" | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |date=2011-12-22 |access-date=2013-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816165823/http://www.lindipendenza.com/life-veneto-ritona-chiavegato/ |archive-date=2013-08-16 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.life.it/life-veneto-chiavegato-presidente/ |title=LIFE Veneto: Chiavegato Presidente | Life |publisher=Life.it |access-date=2013-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831214928/http://www.life.it/life-veneto-chiavegato-presidente/ |archive-date=2013-08-31 |url-status=dead }}

On 13 December it was announced that Davide Lovat would be the party's candidate for mayor of Vicenza in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilgiornaledivicenza.it/stories/Cronaca/443264_lovat__il_primo_anti-variati_con_noi_i_delusi_della_lega_davide_lovat/ |title=Home - Cronaca |publisher=Il Giornale di Vicenza.it |date=2012-12-14 |access-date=2013-08-11}} Lovat, a Christian socialist who was expelled from LV–LN in July 2011 and was later the leader of the Community Democratic League (LDC),{{cite web|url=http://www.vicenzapiu.com/leggi/e-nata-la-lega-democratica-comunitaria-il-suo-manifesto-in-otto-punti |title=E' nata la Lega Democratica Comunitaria, Lovat: il suo manifesto in otto punti » VicenzaPiù |publisher=Vicenzapiu.com |date=2013-07-30 |access-date=2013-08-11}} represented the strengthening of the communitarian grip over the party. However, Lovat was eventually excluded from the election for not having presented the required signatures;{{cite web|url=http://corrieredelveneto.corriere.it/veneto/notizie/politica/2013/29-aprile-2013/bocciate-liste-venetisti-212896291573.shtml |title=Bocciate le liste dei venetisti - Corriere del Veneto |publisher=Corrieredelveneto.corriere.it |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ilgiornaledivicenza.it/stories/dalla_home/503371_veneto_stato_escluso_per_sette_firmeper_15_fuori_anche_indipendenza_veneta/ |title=dalla home |publisher=Il Giornale di Vicenza.it |date=2013-04-29 |access-date=2013-08-11}} VS considered this a conspiracy.{{cite web|url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/lettera-aperta-del-candidato-sindaco-della-citta-di-vicenza/ |title=Lettera aperta del candidato sindaco della città di Vicenza - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |publisher=Veneto-stato.eu |access-date=2013-08-11}}

In the 2013 general election VS obtained 0.4% of the vote regionally, 0.7% in its stronghold of Vicenza.{{cite web|url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/politiche-2013-veneto/ |title=Politiche 2013 - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |publisher=Veneto-stato.eu |date=2013-07-30 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://risultati2013.oe.consiglioveneto.it/politiche/ |title=Risultati politiche 2013 |publisher=Risultati2013.oe.consiglioveneto.it |date=2013-02-24 |access-date=2013-08-11}}

In the run-up of the 2013 municipal elections, Guadagnini opened to IV{{cite web|url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/uniti-si-vince-divisi-si-perde/ |title=Uniti si vince, divisi si perde! - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |publisher=Veneto-stato.eu |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/waterloo/ |title=Waterloo - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |publisher=Veneto-stato.eu |access-date=2013-08-11}} and VS officially endorsed that party's candidates for mayor.{{cite web|url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/sosteniamo-lindipendenza/ |title=Sosteniamo l'Indipendenza - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |publisher=Veneto-stato.eu |access-date=2013-08-11}}

In June 2013, having reconciled with IV,{{cite web|url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/indipendenza-veneta-convegno-mestre/ |title=Mestre, per l'Indipendenza i veneti provano a fare squadra | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |access-date=2013-08-11}} Guadagnini formed a joint separatist cartel with Lodovico Pizzati of IV, Fabrizio Comencini of Liga Veneta Repubblica (LVR), Stefano Valdegamberi of Popular Future (FP), other Venetist groups, associations and individuals.{{cite web|url=http://mattinopadova.gelocal.it/regione/2013/06/26/news/cartello-indipendentista-per-il-referendum-1.7325499 |title=Cartello indipendentista per il referendum - Veneto - il Mattino di Padova |publisher=Mattinopadova.gelocal.it |date=2013-06-26 |access-date=2013-08-11}}

In July VS, having endorsed IV's campaign for a referendum on independence (see Venetian nationalism#Recent developments), joined Let Veneto Decide, a IV-led cross-party committee for the independence referendum, along with Valdegamberi, VS, Raixe Venete, Veneto First, Independentist Youth, other Venetist groups and individuals.{{cite web|url=http://www.rovigooggi.it/articolo/2013-07-26/una-fondazione-per-consultare-i-veneti-sull-autodeterminazione/#.Uh8RG395epM |title=Una Fondazione per consultare i Veneti sull'autodeterminazione - INDIPENDENZA DEL VENETO Presentata l'iniziativa "Il Veneto decida" a sostegno del progetto di legge referendaria 342 appoggiata da tutti gli indipendentisti - Rovigo Oggi - Quotidiano online, informazioni rovigo, news rovigo, rugby rovigo, eventi rovigo |publisher=Rovigooggi.it |access-date=2013-09-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/il-veneto-decida/ |title=Il Veneto decida - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |publisher=Veneto-stato.eu |date=2013-09-01 |access-date=2013-09-14}} The initiative was launched on 4 September 2013 in Vedelago, at the presence of Carlo Lottieri of Lombard Committee for Resolution 44, MEP Mara Bizzotto of Liga Veneta–Lega Nord and Jordi Fornas i Prat of Catalan Solidarity for Independence.{{cite web |url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/il-problema-del-veneto-e-litalia-avanti-tutta-verso-lindipendenza/ |title=Il problema del Veneto è l'Italia: avanti tutta verso l'indipendenza | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |date=2011-12-22 |access-date=2013-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910165638/http://www.lindipendenza.com/il-problema-del-veneto-e-litalia-avanti-tutta-verso-lindipendenza/ |archive-date=2013-09-10 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.indipendenzaveneta.com/news/2013/09/05/pressing-sul-consiglio-regionale/ |title=Pressing sul Consiglio Regionale Indipendenza Veneta |publisher=Indipendenzaveneta.com |date=2013-08-31 |access-date=2013-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907035515/http://www.indipendenzaveneta.com/news/2013/09/05/pressing-sul-consiglio-regionale/ |archive-date=2013-09-07 |url-status=dead }}

In October 2013, for the second time in a row, the congress of the party failed due to the lack of the quorum needed to be valid.{{Cite web |url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/comunicato-stampa-maggior-consiglio-veneto-stato/ |title=Comunicato Stampa: Maggior Consiglio di Veneto Stato - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |access-date=2013-10-15 |archive-date=2013-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020023849/http://www.veneto-stato.eu/comunicato-stampa-maggior-consiglio-veneto-stato/ |url-status=dead }}

In March 2014 the party joined forces with Independent Venetians, Liga Veneta Repubblica and Popular Future in order to form "United for Independent Veneto".{{Cite web | url=http://www.consiglioveneto.it/crvportal/pageContainer.jsp?p=84&n=81&c=5&e=91&t=0&idEvento=6494 |title = Consiglio Regionale Veneto - Sala stampa}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/politica/11561958/Autonomie--Movimenti-presentano--Uniti.html |title = Autonomie: Movimenti presentano 'Uniti per il Veneto Indipendente'}} In July 2014 the coalition was transformed into "We Independent Veneto" (NVI), after the entry of other parties, notably including North-East Project and Chiavegato for Independence.{{Cite web |url=http://ligavenetarepubblica.org/360/ |title=INDIPENDENTISTI INSIEME PER IL VENETO LIBERO. | Liga Veneta Repubblica |access-date=2015-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310015638/http://ligavenetarepubblica.org/360/ |archive-date=2015-03-10 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.noivenetoindipendente.org/chisiamo/ |title=Chi Siamo – Indipendenza Noi Veneto |access-date=2015-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228131118/http://www.noivenetoindipendente.org/chisiamo/ |archive-date=2017-12-28 |url-status=dead }} After the exit of Chiavegato and his group from the alliance{{Cite web |url=http://www.noivenetoindipendente.org/wordpress/comunicato-di-noi-veneto-indipendente/ |title=COMUNICATO DI NOI VENETO INDIPENDENTE | Indipendenza Noi Veneto con Zaia |access-date=2015-04-23 |archive-date=2015-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511115905/http://www.noivenetoindipendente.org/wordpress/comunicato-di-noi-veneto-indipendente/ |url-status=dead }} and their alignment with IV, the remaining parties of NVI formed a joint list for the 2015 regional election named Independence We Veneto (INV) in support to Luca Zaia, incumbent President of Veneto and candidate of Liga Veneta–Lega Nord.{{Cite web | url=http://www.ilgazzettino.it/NORDEST/TREVISO/elezioni_regione_veneto_zaia_comencini_foggiato/notizie/1312771.shtml |title = Foggiato e Comencini con Zaia: Gli autonomisti tornano a casa Lega| date=22 April 2015 }}{{Cite web | url=http://www.venetouno.it/notizia/44153/comencini-e-foggiato-ancora-insieme-a-luca-zaia |title = Comencini e Foggiato Ancora Insieme a Luca Zaia| date=22 April 2015 }}{{Cite web | url=http://www.miglioverde.eu/noi-veneto-indipendente-ufficializza-lalleanza-con-zaia/ |title = Noi Veneto Indipendente Ufficializza l'Alleanza Con Zaia|date = 2015-04-22}}

In the election, the list won 2.7% of the vote and Guadagnini was elected regional councillor in the provincial constituency of Vicenza. Soon after being installed, Guadagnini, who was appointed Secretary of the Regional Council of Veneto, formed a pro-independence "inter-group", which was joined from the start by Stefano Valdegamberi, re-elected councillor in Zaia's personal list, and Massimiliano Barison of Forza Italia.{{Cite web | url=http://ricerca.gelocal.it/tribunatreviso/archivio/tribunatreviso/2015/06/28/treviso-indipendenza-i-veneti-diranno-la-loro-11.html | title="Indipendenza, i veneti diranno la loro" - la tribuna di Treviso| date=28 June 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://vivereveneto.com/2015/07/02/consiglieri-regionali-e-referendum-veneto/|title=vivereveneto.com|website=vivereveneto.com}}

In March 2016 Guadagnini severed his ties with INV and changed his affiliation in the Council to We Are Veneto (VS),{{Cite web |url=http://www.antonioguadagnini.eu/siamo-veneto-regione/ |title=Siamo Veneto: Il gruppo indipendentista in Regione Veneto - Antonio Guadagnini |access-date=2016-04-04 |archive-date=2018-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814232841/http://www.antonioguadagnini.eu/siamo-veneto-regione/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.noivenetoindipendente.org/wordpress/comunicato-stampa-3/ |title=COMUNICATO STAMPA | Indipendenza Noi Veneto con Zaia |access-date=2016-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331153323/http://www.noivenetoindipendente.org/wordpress/comunicato-stampa-3/ |archive-date=2016-03-31 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web | url=http://corrieredelveneto.corriere.it/veneto/notizie/politica/2016/2-aprile-2016/venetisti-contro-ribelle-ha-firmato-patto-paghi-200-mila-euro-240254175954.shtml |title = Venetisti contro il ribelle: "Ha firmato un patto, paghi 200 mila euro"|date = 2016-04-02}} which was contextually established as a broader Venetist and separatist party, including the former leader of Independentist Youth Giacomo Mirto.

Since 2012 VS focused on establishing relations with other separatist parties and pro-independence groups at the European level. The party appointed Giovanni Dalla-Valle, who lived in Scotland and was a long-time member of the Scottish National Party (SNP),{{cite web|url=http://www.lindipendenza.com/lo-scottish-national-party-accredita-veneto-stato-che-sfilera-in-scozia/ |title=Lo Scottish National Party accredita Veneto Stato che sfilerà in Scozia | L'Indipendenza |publisher=Lindipendenza.com |date=2011-12-22 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.venetostato.org/blog/2012/09/lo-strabiliante-successo-di-veneto-stato-alla-marcia-di-edimburgo-per-l%E2%80%99indipendenza-della-scozia/ |access-date=October 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010200643/http://www.venetostato.org/blog/2012/09/lo-strabiliante-successo-di-veneto-stato-alla-marcia-di-edimburgo-per-l%E2%80%99indipendenza-della-scozia/ |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |title=Lo strabiliante successo di Veneto Stato alla Marcia di Edinburgo per l'indipendenza della Scozia | Veneto Stato – Sito ufficiale }} as its international secretary. Della Valle later left after a row with the party leadership, but the SNP and the European Partnership for Independence (EPI) remained the main international references of the party.

On 22 September 2012, a Venetian delegation took part in the March and Rally for Scottish Independence in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh.{{cite web|url=http://www.larena.it/stories/Provincia/412091_a_edimburgo_veneto_stato_sfila_per_lindipendenza/?refresh_ce |title=L'Arena.it - Home - Provincia in primo piano |publisher=Larena.it |date=2012-09-21 |access-date=2013-08-11}} The delegation was led by Della Valle and included also representatives of Liga Veneta–Lega Nord (notably Massimo Bitonci and Roberto Ciambetti), Independentist Youth, Venetian Independence and Raixe Venete.{{cite web| url=http://www.xoventu.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/articolol.jpg | title=Labour rift puts union at risk | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309054837/http://www.xoventu.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/articolol.jpg | archive-date=2014-03-09}}{{cite web|url=http://mattinopadova.gelocal.it/regione/2012/09/23/news/ciambetti-e-bitonci-in-scozia-con-il-leon-si-all-indipendenza-1.5743524 |title=Leghisti in Scozia con il Leòn: "Sì all'indipendenza" - Veneto - il Mattino di Padova |publisher=Mattinopadova.gelocal.it |date=2012-09-23 |access-date=2013-08-11}} In November and December VS strengthened its ties with the EPI through two conventions in Treviso and Vicenza,{{cite web |title=Prima conferenza veneta sull'indipendentismo locale in europa |date=December 15, 2012 |location=Vicenza |url=http://www.venetostato.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Brochure_Convegno_Vicenza_Low.pdf |access-date=2023-03-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224025900/http://www.venetostato.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Brochure_Convegno_Vicenza_Low.pdf |archive-date=December 24, 2012 |lang=it}} which were attended by Scottish, Catalan and Flemish representatives. In February 2013 VS took part to the first congress of the International Commission of European Citizens (ICEC) in Barcelona.{{cite web|url=http://www.nuovavicenza.it/2013/02/veneto-stato-a-barcellona-1-milione-di-firme-per-lautodeterminazione/ |title=Veneto Stato a Barcellona: 1 milione di firme per l'autodeterminazione | La Nuova Vicenza Giornale Online |publisher=Nuovavicenza.it |date=2013-02-25 |access-date=2013-08-11}} Ruggero Zigliotto and Luca Polo have represented VS in the board of ICEC.{{cite web|url=http://www.europeancitizensdecide.eu/support/ |title=International Commission of European Citizens | Support |publisher=Europeancitizensdecide.eu |date=2013-01-04 |access-date=2013-08-11}} In order to jointly campaign for an ICEC European petition on self-determination, in April VS formed a political pact with South Tyrolean Freedom and Liga Veneta Repubblica.{{cite web|url=http://www.venetopiu.com/leggi/veneto-stato-sd-tiroler-freiheit-e-liga-veneta-repubblica-a-bolzano-un-milione-di-firme-per-lautodeterminazione |title=Veneto Stato, Süd Tiroler Freiheit e Liga Veneta: alleanza per l'autodeterminazione » VenetoPiù |publisher=Venetopiu.com |date=2013-07-30 |access-date=2013-08-11}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nordesteuropa.it/stories/home_venezie_post/15544_veneto_stato-sud_tiroler_f_alleanza_per_la_petizione/#.UX-NCcomMYM |title=Veneto Stato-Sud Tiroler F. Alleanza per la petizione | VeneziePost |language=it |publisher=Nordesteuropa.it |access-date=2013-08-11}}

In August 2013 Antonio Guadagnini, secretary of VS, gave a lecture on Venetian self-determination at the Universitat Catalana d'Estiu.{{cite web|url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/veneto-stato-e-scottish-national-party-invitati-alluce-universita-estiva-catalana-a-parlare-di-autodeterminazione/ |title=Veneto Stato e Scottish National Party invitati all'UCE (Università estiva Catalana) a parlare di Autodeterminazione - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |publisher=Veneto-stato.eu |date=2013-09-02 |access-date=2013-09-14}}{{cite news|url=http://www.naciodigital.cat/noticia/58122/padania/no/existeix |title=Nació Digital: La Padània no existeix |publisher=Naciodigital.cat |access-date=2013-09-14|author1=Naciódigital }}{{cite web|author=Gian&Luca |url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/a-prada-per-tutti/ |title=A Prada, per tutti! | Veneto Stato |publisher=Veneto-stato.eu |date=2013-09-01 |access-date=2013-09-14}}

In October 2013 VS launched Veneto State of Europe (VSE), a think tank aimed at spreading the separatist idea among the civil society.{{Cite web |url=http://www.veneto-stato.eu/nasce-vse |title=Nasce VSE - Veneto Stato | Veneto Stato |access-date=2013-10-15 |archive-date=2013-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020023315/http://www.veneto-stato.eu/nasce-vse/ |url-status=dead }} VSE outlived VS and its leaders, Zigliotto and Polo,{{Cite web|url=http://www.lindipendenzanuova.com/tutti-gli-indipendentisti-deuropa-a-bruxelles-insieme-allefa|title = Tutti gli indipendentisti d'Europa a Bruxelles insieme all'EFA | l'Indipendenza Nuova|date = 20 February 2014}} led it into the Party of Venetians, a VS/SV-led coalition formed in April 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilgazzettino.it/pay/nordest_pay/nasce_il_partito_dei_veneti_ma_la_frammentazione_resta-4420570.html|title=Nasce il Partito dei Veneti, ma la frammentazione resta|website=www.ilgazzettino.it|date=10 April 2019|access-date=Oct 10, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.trevisotoday.it/politica/partito-veneti-9-aprile-2019.html|title=Gli indipendentisti veneti si uniscono: nasce il "Partito dei Veneti"|website=TrevisoToday|access-date=Oct 10, 2019}}

File:Veneto-Stato.jpg|2011–2013

File:Veneto-Stato.png|2013–2016

• Secretary: Lodovico Pizzati (2010–2011), Antonio Guadagnini (2011–2016)
• President: Giustino Cherubin (2010–2011), Lucio Chiavegato (2011–2012), Giustino Cherubin (2012–2013), Eraldo Barcaro (acting, 2013), Antonio Zanchin (acting, 2013–2016)
• Treasurer: Gianluca Busato (2010–2011), Massimo Busato (2011–2016)

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110927001927/http://www.venetostato.org/ Official website]
• [http://www.veneto-stato.eu/ Electoral website]

Category:Political parties in Veneto

Category:Separatism in Italy

Category:Secessionist organizations in Europe

Category:Venetian nationalism

Category:Political parties established in 2010