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Movement for the LeftDemocratic Left (Italy)>Democratic LeftUnite the LeftEcologists AssociationSocialism and Left|merged = Italian Left|newspaper = |membership_year = 2013WORK=SINISTRA ECOLOGIA LIBERTà, 9 June 2015, |ideology = Democratic socialismEco-socialismLeft-wing politics>Left-wingALESSIA BELLI>CHAPTER=LIMITS AND POTENTIALITIES OF THE ITALIAN AND BRITISH POLITICAL SYSTEMS THROUGH THE LENS OF MUSLIM WOMEN IN POLITICSTITLE=MUSLIM POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN EUROPEYEAR= 2013ISBN=978-0-7486-7753-5, 172, {{party colorborder=darkgray}} RedItaly. Common Good (2013 Italian general election>2013 election)The Other Europe (2014 European Parliament election in Italy>2014 EP election)Italian Left (2015–2016)}}|international =|european = |europarl = European United Left–Nordic Green Left|flag = weblink}}|colorcode = #C80815}}Left Ecology FreedomBOOK, Tom Lansford, Political Handbook of the World 2014,weblink 2014, SAGE Publications, 978-1-4833-3327-4, 710, BOOK, Bogdan Patrut, Monica Patrut, Social Media in Politics: Case Studies on the Political Power Or Social Media,weblink 2014, Springer, 978-3-319-04666-2, 71, BOOK, Central Intelligence Agency, The CIA World Factbook 2014,weblink 2013, Skyhorse Publishing Company, Incorporated, 978-1-62873-451-5, 1252, BOOK, Ronald Tiersky, Erik Jones, Europe Today: A Twenty-first Century Introduction,weblink 2014, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 978-1-4422-2111-6, 120, Nichi Vendola, the head of the leftist Left, Ecology, Freedom party was in third place with 14% of the vote - BBCNichi Vendola, the openly gay head of the left-wing Left, Ecology, Freedom party was in third place with 15%, while the remaining two candidates, Bruno Tabacci and Laura Puppato, trailed far behind - EurActivMembers of Left, Ecology, Freedom – a leftwing opposition party – filed an urgent question in the Italian parliament on Thursday, calling on Angelino Alfano, Italy’s interior minister, to explain the deportations and to give assurances of the pair’s safety in view of Kazakhstan’s “disgraceful” human rights record - Financial Times (,WEB,weblink Statuto – Sinistra Ecologia Libertà, Sinistra Ecologia Libertà, 9 June 2015, SEL) was a democratic socialistWEB,weblink Italy, Parties and Elections in Europe, Wolfram, Nordsieck, 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20180215174515weblink">weblink 15 February 2018, dead, political party in Italy whose bulk was formed by former members of the Communist Refoundation Party.The party's leader was Nichi Vendola, a former President of Apulia. On 17 December 2016, SEL dissolved into Italian Left, which was officially launched as a party in early 2017.

History

Left and Freedom

SEL was formed as an alliance called Left and Freedom (Sinistra e Libertà, SL) in the run up to the 2009 European Parliament election in order to overcome the 4% threshold introduced by the new electoral law in February 2009.At the time of formation, on 16 March 2009, SL included:

• Movement for the Left (MpS, socialist/communist, leader: Nichi Vendola, 2 MEPs)
• Socialist Party (PS, social-democratic, leader: Riccardo Nencini, 4 MEPs)
• Federation of the Greens (FdV, green, leader: Grazia Francescato, 2 MEPs)
• Democratic Left (SD, democratic socialist, leader: Claudio Fava)
• Unite the Left (UlS, socialist/communist, leaders: Umberto Guidoni, Katia Bellillo, 1 MEP)

The electoral symbol for the 2009 election included the logos of the Party of European Socialists (PES), the Federation of the Greens (a member of the European Greens), the European United Left–Nordic Green Left (GUE–NGL).In the election, SL failed to pass the 4% threshold. Despite that, it was decided that SL would become a party.

Road to the new party

In October 2009, during a party congress, the Greens elected a new party leader, Angelo Bonelli, and voted to opt out from the process of the foundation of the new party.WEB,weblink Soli o a sinistra? Rissa all' assemblea dei Verdi, Archiviostorico.corriere.it, 2009-12-24, 2010-12-14, WEB,weblink Verdi, a sorpresa vince Angelo Bonelli | Terra - Quotidiano di informazione pulita, Terranews.it, 2010-12-14, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20091015055407weblink">weblink 2009-10-15, However, Francescato and her faction decided to keep supporting SL as Ecologists with Left Ecology Freedom and leave the Greens.WEB,weblink il giornale di Legambiente - Bonelli presidente, il Sole si spacca, La Nuova Ecologia.it, 2010-12-14, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110722040854weblink">weblink 2011-07-22, SL was also weakened by the split occurred within PS, when the United Socialists, who were opposed to the integration of PS into SL, walked out.WEB,weblink I socialisti di Bobo Craxi: "Autonomi da tutti", Archiviostorico.corriere.it, 2009-12-24, 2010-12-14, WEB, Gianni Del Vecchio,weblink Bobo Craxi - VIP - Europa, Europa (Italian newspaper), Europa, 2010-12-14,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110722033455weblink">weblink 2011-07-22, dead, Finally in November SL was hit by the sudden opt-out of the whole PS.WEB,weblink I socialisti oscurano il sito di Sinistra e Libertà La coalizione è in crisi e c'è rischio di scissione - Politica, Repubblica.it, 2009-11-13, 2010-12-14, WEB,weblink Il Documento Approvato All'Unanimita' Dalla Segreteria Nazionale - Partito Socialista - Primo Piano, Partitosocialista.it, 2010-12-14, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110716215939weblink">weblink 2011-07-16, Since November 2009 SL was thus composed of MpS, SD, UlS, the Ecologists and Socialism and Left, a small minority of PS that wanted to continue the experience of SL.WEB,weblink SOCIALISMOeSINISTRA - Associazione Politica e di Promozione Sociale e Culturale, Socialismoesinistra.it, 2010-12-14, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20151020224923weblink">weblink 2015-10-20, In December SL was officially launched as a party,WEB,weblink Vendola vara una nuova SEL, LeRagioni.it, 2010-12-14, and Vendola was elected spokesperson.WEB,weblink Vendola "battezza" il suo movimento Malumori nel Pd, La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno.it, 2009-12-21, 2010-12-14, After an important meeting in September in Naples, where it was decided to add "Ecology" to the party's name,weblink {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20090926031341weblink|date=September 26, 2009}} in December 2009 Left Ecology and Freedom (SEL) held a constituent assembly in Rome. The new symbol was presented and Vendola was confirmed as spokesperson.SEL, often in coalition with the PS, did well in the 2010 regional elections, especially in Central and Southern Italy. Overall, SEL won 3.0% of the vote, with the PS at 0.7% and the Greens at 0.2%. In the Apulian election Vendola was re-elected President of the Region and trailed SEL to 9.7%, its best regional result.WEB,weblink ::: Ministero dell'Interno ::: Archivio Storico delle Elezioni - Regionali del 28 Marzo 2010, it, Elezionistorico.interno.it, 2010-12-14, File:Nichi Vendola Sinistra Ecologia e Libertà.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Nichi Vendola during the party's first congress in FlorenceFlorenceThe party was officially founded in a congress in Florence on 22–24 October 2010. Vendola was elected president.WEB,weblink Vendola: la sinistra deve ripartire dalla piazza Fiom, Archiviostorico.corriere.it, 2009-12-24, 2010-12-14,

Road to the 2013 general election

In 2011 and 2012, the party offered a strong competition to the Democratic Party (PD) in coalition primaries in many cities. In May 2011 Giuliano Pisapia and Massimo Zedda, who had been supported by SEL in primaries, were elected mayors of Milan and Cagliari, respectively. The party gained 5% in Milan, 6% in Turin, 10% in Bologna, 6% in Trieste, 4% in Naples and 7% in Cagliari.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}In occasion of the 2011 referendums of June 2011 (on the abrogation of a law allowing the construction of nuclear power plants in Italy, the abrogation of a law allowing the privatisation of water management and the abrogation of so-called "legitimate impediment"), SEL gave full support to the "yes" committees. In May 2012, Marco Doria, another independent close to SEL, was elected Mayor of Genoa.In August 2012, Vendola announced his bid for the primary election in order to select the candidate for Prime Minister of the PD-led centre-left coalition in the 2013 general election. On 25 November of the same year, Vendola won 15.6% of the vote and came third behind Democrats Pier Luigi Bersani (44.9%) and Matteo Renzi (35.5%). In the run-off Vendola supported Bersani, who defeated Renzi 60.9% to 39.1%.Ha vinto Bersani | Il Post. Ilpost.it (2012-12-02). Retrieved on 2013-08-24. SEL selected its candidates for the election through a closed primary in December 2012.Vendola: primarie anche di Sel il 29 e 30, intesa con Bersani - Italia - l'Unità - notizie online lavoro, recensioni, cinema, musica {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117040910weblink |date=2013-01-17 }}. Unita.it (2008-09-20). Retrieved on 2013-08-24.

2013 general election

In the 2013 general election, which took place in February 2013, the party was part of the centre-left Italy. Common Good coalition, which supported PD leader Pier Luigi Bersani as candidate for Prime Minister. In the election SEL won 3.2% of the vote, returning 37 deputies and 7 senators. In its Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol's list SEL included some representatives of the Greens of South Tyrol: one of them, Florian Kronbichler, was elected to the Chamber.On 16 March 2013, Laura Boldrini, an independent member of SEL, was elected President of the Chamber of Deputies.In September 2013, SEL expressed its intention to join the Party of European Socialists (PES),WEB,weblink Ultime Notizie Online - Agenzia Giornalistica Italia - AGI, 9 June 2015, however in January 2014, the party finally endorsed Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Greek Coalition of the Radical Left (Syriza) and standard-bearer of the Party of European Left in the 2014 European Parliament election, as their chosen candidate for President of the European Commission,WEB,weblink La lettera di Tsipras a Vendola per il congresso di Sel, Alexis Tsipras, 25 January 2014, il manifesto, 9 June 2015, and contested the election within The Other Europe electoral list.WEB,weblink "L'altra Europa con Tsipras", ecco il nome della lista - Europa Quotidiano, Europa Quotidiano, 9 June 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140227001952weblink">weblink 27 February 2014, dead,

2014 European Parliament election

Ahead of the 2014 European Parliament election the party participated in the formation of a left-wing joint list, The Other Europe, which was endorsed by Alexis Tsipras and included several intellectuals and the Communist Refoundation Party. In the election the list obtained 4.0% of the vote and 3 MEPs.Right after the election, the party suffered a severe split in its parliamentary ranks as 12 deputies out of 37, including the floor leader Gennaro Migliore (who was replaced by Nicola Fratoianni and, soon after, Arturo Scotto), left the party over disagreements with the party's line and started to support the Renzi Cabinet.WEB,weblink Effetto Pd su Sel Si dimette Migliore Scissione vicina, 9 June 2015, WEB,weblink Migliore, il groppo in gola "Affidiamoci a Matteo", 9 June 2015, WEB,weblink Camera.it - XVII Legislatura - Deputati e Organi Parlamentari - Composizione gruppi Parlamentari, 9 June 2015, The bulk of the splinters joined forces in Freedom and Rights – European Socialists,WEB,weblink Gli ex di Sel fondano Led, "Libertà e diritti", e si avvicinano al Pse - Europa Quotidiano, Europa Quotidiano, 9 June 2015, WEB,weblink I fuoriusciti di Sel danno vita a 'Libertà e diritti': "Non siamo un partito", Adnkronos, 9 June 2015, WEB,weblink Ex Sel fondano Led. Gennaro Migliore: "Possiamo essere tante cose", Mario Lucio Genghini, Polisblog.it, 9 June 2015, while some others directly joined Renzi's Democratic Party.WEB,weblink Sel, anche il tesoriere Sergio Boccadutri lascia Nichi Vendola. E va verso il Pd, 25 June 2014, l'Espresso, 9 June 2015,

Dissolution into Italian Left

In November 2015, SEL formed a joint parliamentary group in the Chamber, named Italian Left (SI), with splinters from the PD (see Future to the Left) and other parties.WEB,weblink Nasce 'Sinistra italiana', nuovo gruppo di 31 deputati. Fassina: "Siamo alternativi al liberismo da Happy Days di Renzi" - Politica, ANSA.it, 2015-11-07, 2015-12-01, WEB,weblink Si chiamerà "Sinistra italiana": domani Sel e gli ex Pd battezzano il nuovo gruppo 'anti-Renzi', Huffingtonpost.it, 2015-12-01, In February 2016, SI held its constituent assembly in Rome, where it was announced that SI will be founded as a full-fledged party in December.WEB,weblink Cosmopolitica, iniziata la costituente di Sinistra italiana, 19 February 2016, WEB,weblink il manifesto, ilmanifesto.info, WEB,weblink Cosmopolitica, la prima assemblea di Sinistra italiana: "Dal 2 al 4 dicembre il congresso fondativo", 21 February 2016, In March 2016, SI was established as a sub-group within the Mixed Group in the Senate: five SEL senators joined,WEB,weblink senato.it - Senato della Repubblica senato.it - Variazioni nei Gruppi parlamentari, www.senato.it, while other two (including Sardist Luciano Uras)WEB,weblink Sel divisa tra svolta sovranista e Sinistra italiana: geografia di una guerra - Sardiniapost.it, 17 November 2015, refused to do so.WEB,weblink il manifesto, ilmanifesto.info, On 17 December 2016, SEL was merged into SI, which would be officially launched as a party in early 2017.

Electoral results

Italian Parliament{| classwikitable style"width:50%; border:1px #AAAAFF solid"

Chamber of Deputies! width=13%|Election year! width=16%|Votes! width=6%|% ! width=1%|Seats! width=8%|+/–! width=18%|Leader! 2013| 1,089,442 (6th)| 3.237hex={{party color|Left Ecology Freedom}}}}–}}Nichi Vendola}}{| class=wikitable style="width:50%; border:1px #AAAAFF solid"Senate of the Republic! width=13%|Election year! width=16%|Votes! width=6%|% ! width=1%|Seats! width=8%|+/–! width=18%|Leader! 2013| 912,347 (6th)| 3.07hex={{party color|Left Ecology Freedom}}}}–}}Nichi Vendola}}European Parliament">

European Parliament{| classwikitable style"width:50%; border:1px #AAAAFF solid"European Parliament

! width=13%|Election year! width=16%|Votes! width=6%|% ! width=1%|Seats! width=8%|+/–! width=18%|Leader! 2009| 958,458 (7th)| 3.10hex={{party color|Left Ecology Freedom}}}}–}}Nichi Vendola}}! 2014The Other Europe>Other Europe| 4.03hex={{party color|Left Ecology Freedom}}}}–}}Nichi Vendola}}

Leadership

• Spokesperson/President:The role of spokesperson was renamed as president at the 2010 congress. Nichi Vendola (2009–2016)
  • Vice President: Maria Luisa Boccia (2014–2016),{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} Fabio Mussi (2014–2016){{citation needed|date=April 2014}}
  • Coordinator: Claudio Fava (2009–2013), Francesco Ferrara (2013–2014), Nicola Fratoianni (2014–2016)
• President of the National Bureau: Fabio Mussi (2010–2014)
• President of the National Assembly: Maria Luisa Boccia (2010–2014), Paolo Cento (2014–2016)
• Party Leader in the Chamber of Deputies: Gennaro Migliore (2013–2014), Nicola Fratoianni (2014), Arturo Scotto (2014–2016)
• Party Leader in the Senate: Loredana De Petris (2013–2016)

Symbols

File:SINISTRA E LIBERTA' - 1.jpg|2009File:SINISTRA ECOLOGIA LIBERTA - 2.jpg|2009File:Left Ecology Freedom.png|2010–2016

External links

{{Commons category|Sinistra Ecologia Libertà}}

• Official website

References

{{Reflist|33em}}{{Clear}}{{Historical Italian political parties}}{{Authority control}}