The Slovene Union ( sl, Slovenska skupnost, SSk, it, Unione Slovena, US) is a
political party in Italy
This article contains a list of political parties in Italy since Italian unification in 1861.
Throughout history, numerous political parties have been operating in Italy, and since World War II no party has ever gained enough support to govern ...
representing the
Slovene minority in the
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
(man), it, Friulana (woman), it, Giuliano (man), it, Giuliana (woman)
, population_note =
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region. Its Slovenian language name means literally "Slovene Community", but the denomination "Slovene Union" is used in other languages.
The party was founded in the 1960s to represent the
anti-communist
Anti-communism is Political movement, political and Ideology, ideological opposition to communism. Organized anti-communism developed after the 1917 October Revolution in the Russian Empire, and it reached global dimensions during the Cold War, w ...
Slovenes in the Italian
Julian March
Venezia Giulia, traditionally called Julian March (Serbo-Croatian, Slovene: ''Julijska krajina'') or Julian Venetia ( it, Venezia Giulia; vec, Venesia Julia; fur, Vignesie Julie; german: Julisch Venetien) is an area of southeastern Europe wh ...
(provinces of
Trieste
Trieste ( , ; sl, Trst ; german: Triest ) is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is the capital city, and largest city, of the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, one of two autonomous regions which are not subdivided into provi ...
and
Gorizia
Gorizia (; sl, Gorica , colloquially 'old Gorizia' to distinguish it from Nova Gorica; fur, label= Standard Friulian, Gurize, fur, label= Southeastern Friulian, Guriza; vec, label= Bisiacco, Gorisia; german: Görz ; obsolete English ''Gorit ...
). It the 1970s and 1980s, it extended its presence also to
Venetian Slovenia
Slavia Friulana, which means Friulian Slavia ( sl, Beneška Slovenija), is a small mountainous region in northeastern Italy and it is so called because of its Slavic population which settled here in the 8th century AD. The territory is located in ...
and
Canale Valley Canale may refer to:
Places
;Italy
* Canale, Piedmont, a ''comune'' in the Province of Cuneo
* Canale, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, a ''frazione'' in the Province of Trento
* Canale d'Agordo, a ''comune'' in the Province of Belluno, Veneto
* Can ...
in the
Province of Udine
The province of Udine ( it, provincia di Udine, fur, provincie di Udin, sl, videmska pokrajina, Resian dialect, Resian: , german: Provinz Weiden) was a Provinces of Italy, province in the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia of Italy, borderi ...
. It has been considered to be close to the
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
and has drawn its support from various Slovene Catholic institutions in Italy, such as the
Hermagoras Society and the
Council of Slovene Organizations.
Since 2007, the SSk is affiliated to the
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
(PD). The relation between the two parties is regulated by an "agreement of federation", which guarantees the full autonomy of the SSk.
History
The SSk was founded in 1962 with the merger of several Slovene
anti-communist
Anti-communism is Political movement, political and Ideology, ideological opposition to communism. Organized anti-communism developed after the 1917 October Revolution in the Russian Empire, and it reached global dimensions during the Cold War, w ...
political organizations that had functioned since 1945 in the Italian part of the
Julian March
Venezia Giulia, traditionally called Julian March (Serbo-Croatian, Slovene: ''Julijska krajina'') or Julian Venetia ( it, Venezia Giulia; vec, Venesia Julia; fur, Vignesie Julie; german: Julisch Venetien) is an area of southeastern Europe wh ...
(Venezia Giulia), that is in the provinces
Gorizia
Gorizia (; sl, Gorica , colloquially 'old Gorizia' to distinguish it from Nova Gorica; fur, label= Standard Friulian, Gurize, fur, label= Southeastern Friulian, Guriza; vec, label= Bisiacco, Gorisia; german: Görz ; obsolete English ''Gorit ...
and
Trieste
Trieste ( , ; sl, Trst ; german: Triest ) is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is the capital city, and largest city, of the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, one of two autonomous regions which are not subdivided into provi ...
(until 1954 Zone A of the
Free Territory of Trieste
The Free Territory of Trieste was an independent territory in Southern Europe between northern Italy and Yugoslavia, facing the north part of the Adriatic Sea, under direct responsibility of the United Nations Security Council in the aftermath ...
). These organizations included the Slovene Christian Social Union (''Slovenska krščansko socialna zveza'', SKSZ), led by
Engelbert Besednjak and
Avgust Sfiligoj
Avgust is a male given name.
Russian name
In Russian, Avgust (russian: А́вгуст or ) is a male given name.Superanskaya p. 21 Its feminine versions are AvgustaPetrovsky, p. 32 and Avgustina.Nikonov, p. 63 The name is derived ...
; the
liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
Slovene Democratic Union (''Slovenska demokratska zveza'', SDZ), led by
Josip Agneletto Josip () is a male given name found among Croats and Slovenes, a cognate of Joseph.
In Croatia, the name Josip was the second most common masculine given name in the decades up to 1959, and has stayed among the top ten most common ones throughout 2 ...
and
Andrej Uršič
Andrey, Andrej or Andrei (in Cyrillic script: Андрей, Андреј or Андрэй) is a form of Andreas/ Ἀνδρέας in Slavic languages and Romanian. People with the name include:
*Andrei of Polotsk ( – 1399), Lithuanian nobleman
*A ...
; and the
social-democratic
Social democracy is a Political philosophy, political, Social philosophy, social, and economic philosophy within socialism that supports Democracy, political and economic democracy. As a policy regime, it is described by academics as advocati ...
Group of Independent Slovenes (''Skupina neodvisnih Slovencev'', SNS), led by
Josip Ferfolja
Josip Ferfolja (27 September 1880 – 11 December 1958) was a Slovene lawyer and Social democratic politician, and human rights activist from the Province of Gorizia. Although he was an Italian citizen for most of his life, he considered himself f ...
,
Frane Tončič
Frane is a masculine Croatian given name and a variant of Franciscus. Notable people with the name include:
*Frane Adam (born 1948), Slovenian sociologist, editor and former dissident political activist
*Frane Bitunjac (born 1997), Croatian footba ...
and
Dušan Rybář
Dušan ( sr-Cyrl, Душан) is a Slavic given name primarily used in countries of Yugoslavia; and among Slovaks and Czechs. The name is derived from the Slavic noun ''duša'' "soul".
Occurrence
In Serbia, it was the 29th most popular name ...
. All these groups shared an
anti-fascist
Anti-fascism is a political movement in opposition to fascist ideologies, groups and individuals. Beginning in European countries in the 1920s, it was at its most significant shortly before and during World War II, where the Axis powers were ...
ideology, they were opposed to
Italian nationalism
Italian nationalism is a movement which believes that the Italians are a nation with a single homogeneous identity, and therefrom seeks to promote the cultural unity of Italy as a country. From an Italian nationalist perspective, Italianness is ...
and
centralism
Centralisation or centralization (see spelling differences) is the process by which the activities of an organisation, particularly those regarding planning and decision-making, framing strategy and policies become concentrated within a particu ...
, as well as to the
Communist regime
A communist state, also known as a Marxist–Leninist state, is a one-party state that is administered and governed by a communist party guided by Marxism–Leninism. Marxism–Leninism was the state ideology of the Soviet Union, the Cominte ...
of the nearby
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, commonly referred to as SFR Yugoslavia or simply as Yugoslavia, was a country in Central and Southeast Europe. It emerged in 1945, following World War II, and lasted until 1992, with the breakup of Yug ...
. Coming from different ideological background, but sharing similar programs, these groups soon established a close collaboration, creating many joint lists in municipal and provincial elections. Between 1947 and 1954, a unitary action was hindered by the fact that the Slovene minority was split into two separate political realities, one in the Republic of Italy and the other in the
Free Territory of Trieste
The Free Territory of Trieste was an independent territory in Southern Europe between northern Italy and Yugoslavia, facing the north part of the Adriatic Sea, under direct responsibility of the United Nations Security Council in the aftermath ...
.
The SSk has taken part in nearly all general, regional and municipal elections in Friuli-Venezia Giulia since the
1963 general election. Beginning from the late 1960s, it frequently formed alliances with
Christian Democracy
Christian democracy (sometimes named Centrist democracy) is a political ideology that emerged in 19th-century Europe under the influence of Catholic social teaching and neo-Calvinism.
It was conceived as a combination of modern democratic ...
. Since its foundation, the SSk has maintained close relations with the
South Tyrolean People's Party
The South Tyrolean People's Party (german: Südtiroler Volkspartei, SVP) is a regionalist and autonomist political party in South Tyrol, an autonomous province with a German-speaking majority in northern Italy.
Founded on 8 May 1945, the SVP ha ...
and the
Valdostan Union
The Valdostan Union (french: Union valdôtaine, UV), also Valdostian Union or Valdotanian Union is a regionalist and centrist political party in Aosta Valley, Italy. It represents mainly the Arpitan-speaking minority in the region. Former leade ...
. In the
1992 general election the SSk formed a joint list with the Valdostan Union, the
Union for South Tyrol
The Citizens' Union for South Tyrol (german: BürgerUnion für Südtirol, BUfS), formerly Union for South Tyrol (''Union für Südtirol'', UfS), was a national conservatism, national-conservative List of political parties in South Tyrol, politica ...
, the
Sardinian Action Party
The Sardinian Action Party ( sc, Partidu Sardu, it, Partito Sardo d'Azione, PSd'Az or PSdA) is a Sardinian nationalist, regionalist and separatist political party in Sardinia. While being traditionally part of the Sardinian centre-left, the p ...
, and some smaller regional parties; this effort produced a seat in the
Chamber of Deputies
The chamber of deputies is the lower house in many bicameral legislatures and the sole house in some unicameral legislatures.
Description
Historically, French Chamber of Deputies was the lower house of the French Parliament during the Bourbon R ...
and one in the
Senate of the Republic, but none of them was for the SSk.
Since the beginning of the so-called
Italian Second Republic, the SSk has been in alliance with
centre-left
Centre-left politics lean to the left on the left–right political spectrum but are closer to the centre than other left-wing politics. Those on the centre-left believe in working within the established systems to improve social justice. The c ...
coalitions, such as
The Olive Tree, and had been an associate party of the
Italian People's Party,
Democracy is Freedom – The Daisy
Democracy is Freedom – The Daisy ( it, Democrazia è Libertà – La Margherita, DL), commonly known simply as The Daisy (''La Margherita''), was a centrist political party in Italy. The party was formed from the merger of three parties within ...
, and finally the
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
.
Popular support and representation
The party has been represented in the Regional Council from 1975 through 1993, and then again since 2003. In the
2013 regional election the SSk won 1.4% of the vote (4.7% in the
Province of Trieste
The Province of Trieste ( it, Provincia di Trieste, sl, Tržaška pokrajina; fur, provinzia di Triest) was a Provinces of Italy, province in the autonomous Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Its capital was the city of Trieste.
It had an are ...
and 2.8% in the
Province of Gorizia
The Province of Gorizia ( it, Provincia di Gorizia, fur, Provincie di Gurize; sl, Goriška pokrajina) was a province in the autonomous Friuli–Venezia Giulia region of Italy, which was disbanded on 30 September 2017.
Overview
Its capital was th ...
), resulting in the re-election of its regional councillor.
The party is particularly strong in rural areas on the border with
Slovenia
Slovenia ( ; sl, Slovenija ), officially the Republic of Slovenia (Slovene: , abbr.: ''RS''), is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the southeast, an ...
in the Provinces of Trieste and Gorizia. In the 2013 regional election it was the most voted party in the municipalities of
Monrupino
Monrupino ( sl, Repentabor) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Trieste in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about north of Trieste, on the border with Slovenia. , it had a population of 848 and an area of .All demog ...
(55.9%),
San Floriano del Collio
San Floriano del Collio ( sl, Števerjan; fur, San Florean dal Cuei) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Gorizia in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about northwest of Gorizia, on the ...
(53.1%) and
Savogna d'Isonzo
Savogna d'Isonzo ( sl, Sovodnje ob Soči; fur, Savogne di Gurize) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about southwest of Gorizia, on the border with Slovenia. The ...
(42.0%), and had a good showing also in
San Dorligo della Valle
San Dorligo della Valle ( sl, Dolina; Triestine: or ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about southeast of Trieste, on the border with Slovenia. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 6, ...
(22.5%),
Sgonico
Sgonico ( sl, Zgonik; Triestine: ) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Trieste in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste, on the border with Slovenia. , it had a population of 2,130 and an area ...
(22.2%),
Doberdò del Lago
Doberdò del Lago ( sl, Doberdob; Bisiacco: ; fur, Dobardò) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about northwest of Trieste and about southwest of Gorizia, and borders the following municipalit ...
(19.8%) and
Duino-Aurisina
Duino-Aurisina ( sl, Devin-Nabrežina, german: Thübein-Nabreschin, also ; vec, label=Triestine, Duin-Aurisina) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Trieste in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Lying near the border with S ...
(17.1%). Since the 2000s, the party has gathered some support also in the
Province of Udine
The province of Udine ( it, provincia di Udine, fur, provincie di Udin, sl, videmska pokrajina, Resian dialect, Resian: , german: Provinz Weiden) was a Provinces of Italy, province in the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia of Italy, borderi ...
, especially in the so-called
Venetian Slovenia
Slavia Friulana, which means Friulian Slavia ( sl, Beneška Slovenija), is a small mountainous region in northeastern Italy and it is so called because of its Slavic population which settled here in the 8th century AD. The territory is located in ...
: in 2013 it garnered 19.4% of the vote in
Drenchia
Drenchia ( sl, Dreka; fur, Drencje) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Udine in the Italy, Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about north of Trieste and about northeast of Udine, on the border with Slovenia. Drenchia i ...
, 10.8% in
Malborghetto Valbruna
Malborghetto Valbruna ( fur, Malborghet-Valbrune, sl, Naborjet-Ovčja ves; german: Malborgeth-Wolfsbach) is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Udine in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Geography
Malborghetto-Valbruna is located about northw ...
, and 7.5% in
Resia. In big cities, the party reached 5.3% in
Gorizia
Gorizia (; sl, Gorica , colloquially 'old Gorizia' to distinguish it from Nova Gorica; fur, label= Standard Friulian, Gurize, fur, label= Southeastern Friulian, Guriza; vec, label= Bisiacco, Gorisia; german: Görz ; obsolete English ''Gorit ...
and 3.2% in
Trieste
Trieste ( , ; sl, Trst ; german: Triest ) is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is the capital city, and largest city, of the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, one of two autonomous regions which are not subdivided into provi ...
. In the municipal and provincial elections of 2011, the candidates of the Slovene Union ran on the list of the
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
, except for the Provincial Council of Trieste, where they ran separately and gained 3.4% of the vote.
Media
The party has an official newspaper, called ''Skupnost'' ("Community"). The weekly journal ''
Novi glas'' ("The New Voice"), published in
Gorizia
Gorizia (; sl, Gorica , colloquially 'old Gorizia' to distinguish it from Nova Gorica; fur, label= Standard Friulian, Gurize, fur, label= Southeastern Friulian, Guriza; vec, label= Bisiacco, Gorisia; german: Görz ; obsolete English ''Gorit ...
by the
Hermagoras Society is also generally supportive of the party's program, policies and ideology, although it is sometimes critical towards its actions.
Prominent members
Several public figures of the
Slovene minority in Italy
Slovene minority in Italy ( it, Minoranza slovena in Italia, sl, Slovenska manjšina v Italiji), also known as Slovenes in Italy ( it, Sloveni in Italia, sl, Slovenci v Italiji) is the name given to Italian citizens who belong to the autochthon ...
have been public supporters of the Slovene Union, including the authors
Boris Pahor
Boris Pahor, OMRI (; 26 August 1913 – 30 May 2022) was a Slovene novelist from Trieste, Italy, who was best known for his heartfelt descriptions of life as a member of the Slovenian minority in pre–Second World War increasingly fascist It ...
and
Alojz Rebula
Alojz Rebula (June 21, 1924 – October 23, 2018) was a Slovene writer, playwright, essayist, and translator, and a prominent member of the Slovene minority in Italy. He lived and worked in Villa Opicina in the Province of Trieste, Italy. He was ...
, historian
Jože Pirjevec
Jože Pirjevec (born 1 June 1940), registered at birth Giuseppe Pierazzi because of the Italianization#Istria, Julian March and Dalmatia, Italianization policy under the Fascist regime, is a Slovenes, Slovene–Italy, Italian historian and a promi ...
, journalist, editor and historian
Ivo Jevnikar and others.
See also
*
Enotna Lista
The Unity List ( Slovene: ''Enotna lista'', german: Einheitsliste) or EL seeks to represent the indigenous Slovene minority in Carinthia. It came into existence in 1991, replacing the "Club of Slovenian Local Councillors" (Slovene: , German: ), ...
References
External links
Official website
{{Members of the European Free Alliance
Political parties in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Political parties of minorities
European Free Alliance
Political parties established in 1963
History of Slovenes in Italy
1963 establishments in Italy