Venetians in Movement
Encyclopedia
Venetians Movement is an Venetist
separatist
cross-party political movement
which aims to promote independence regardless of individual political positions such as left or right, in a democratic and nonviolent way. The complete name of the movement, which was founded on 26 November 2006 in Padua
, is Venetians Movement for the Independence of Venetia (Movimento Veneti par ła Indipendensa de ła Venetia), but it is commonly known also as The Venetians (I Veneti).
The movement demands independence
for the so-called Venetia, a country that would be composed of all the territories of the historical Republic of Venice
, covering the current Veneto
, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, some Provinces of Lombardy
(Brescia
, Bergamo
, Cremona
and Mantova), a portion of Trentino (see chart).
Differently from other Venetist parties such as Liga Veneta
, Liga Veneta Repubblica and North-East Project
, Venetians in Movement does not present itself to elections, because it recognizes that the already high number of independentist parties is not bringing much results in favour of independence. A possible future transformation into party is scheduled in its statute, however, only when the socio-political situation provides favourable conditions. Moreover the movement doesn't recognize the inclusion of Veneto in Italy in 1866 by a possibly rigged referendum, as proved by some Venetist historians such as Ettore Beggiato
and Gianpaolo Borsetto.. According to the Venetians' website FAQ page, although Italian law is de facto in force in Veneto, the independence of Veneto does not imply breaking the unity of Italy because Veneto is not formally a part of Italy («We do not secede or break away from Italy because, in order to do so we should be part of it») for a number of reasons. First, «Italy was proclaimed without the Venetian lands», consequently «Italy's existence does not depend on the Venetian land. Even without the Venetian land, Italy would still be united, as it was united before adding Veneto». Second, the annexation of the Venetian land was not legitimized by any military conquest: «Italy did not win, its allied won». Third, the annexation was not legitimized by any democratic vote: «a referendum was required for the annexation [...but it] was neither free, nor secret». Fourth, «the annexation took place two days before the vote». Fifth, the political unity of the Italian Peninsula is not even reached today, as the Peninsula is still split in three States: «Italian Republic, Vatican City State and Most Serene Republic of San Marino».
One of the founding members of the movement, Gianluca Busato, launched the Venetian National Party
(PNV) in 2007. In the run up of the 2009 municipal elections, The Venetians invited Carlo Covi
of Venetian Agreement
to a convention, leading some to think that this was an endorsement. Shortly after in fact, in November 2009 the movement joined other Venetist parties, including Venetian Agreement and Liga Veneta Repubblica, in forming Veneto Freedom
. However, as soon as in January 2010, the coalition disbanded and its independentist core formed a more coherent outfit, the Party of the Venetians
, which was later merged in September 2010 with the PNV to form Veneto State
, a united Venetist-separatist party. A leading member of The Venetians, Giustino Cherubin, was elected president of the new party.
The Minor Conséjo, named after one of the institutions of the late Republic of Venice
and also known as National Council, functions as executive secretariat of the party. Currently it is composed by Patrik Riondato, Ivan Salvador, Giustino Cherubin and Fabrizio Disarò.
Venetism
Venetian nationalism is an ideology and a regionalist movement demanding more autonomy, or even independence from Italy, for Veneto, and promoting the re-discovery the Republic of Venice's heritage, traditions, culture and language...
separatist
Separatism
Separatism is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group. While it often refers to full political secession, separatist groups may seek nothing more than greater autonomy...
cross-party political movement
Political movement
A political movement is a social movement in the area of politics. A political movement may be organized around a single issue or set of issues, or around a set of shared concerns of a social group...
which aims to promote independence regardless of individual political positions such as left or right, in a democratic and nonviolent way. The complete name of the movement, which was founded on 26 November 2006 in Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
, is Venetians Movement for the Independence of Venetia (Movimento Veneti par ła Indipendensa de ła Venetia), but it is commonly known also as The Venetians (I Veneti).
The movement demands independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
for the so-called Venetia, a country that would be composed of all the territories of the historical Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, covering the current Veneto
Veneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, some Provinces of Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
(Brescia
Province of Brescia
The Province of Brescia is a Province in Lombardy, Italy. It borders with the province of Sondrio in the N and NW, the province of Bergamo in the W, province of Cremona in the SW and S, the province of Mantova to the S, and to the east, the province of Verona and Trentino .Source for statistical...
, Bergamo
Province of Bergamo
The Province of Bergamo is a province in the Lombardy region of Italy. It has a population of 1,098,740 , an area of 2,722.86 square km, and contains 244 comuni...
, Cremona
Province of Cremona
The Province of Cremona is a province in the Lombardy region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Cremona.The province has an area of 1,771 km² and in 2008 census, had a population of 358,628. There are 115 comuni...
and Mantova), a portion of Trentino (see chart).
Differently from other Venetist parties such as Liga Veneta
Liga Veneta
Liga Veneta is a regionalist political party based in Veneto, combining Venetism and fiscal federalism. Liga Veneta is by far the largest party in Veneto and the party of Luca Zaia, President of Veneto since March 2010.It was the first party of its kind in Northern Italy, predating Umberto...
, Liga Veneta Repubblica and North-East Project
North-East Project
North-East Project is a Venetist, fiscal federalist and libertarian Italian political party based in Veneto, demanding larger autonomy, if not complete independence for the region.-History:...
, Venetians in Movement does not present itself to elections, because it recognizes that the already high number of independentist parties is not bringing much results in favour of independence. A possible future transformation into party is scheduled in its statute, however, only when the socio-political situation provides favourable conditions. Moreover the movement doesn't recognize the inclusion of Veneto in Italy in 1866 by a possibly rigged referendum, as proved by some Venetist historians such as Ettore Beggiato
Ettore Beggiato
Ettore Beggiato is a Venetist historian and politician.As member of several Venetist political parties , he was member of the Regional Council of Veneto from 1985 to 2000...
and Gianpaolo Borsetto.. According to the Venetians' website FAQ page, although Italian law is de facto in force in Veneto, the independence of Veneto does not imply breaking the unity of Italy because Veneto is not formally a part of Italy («We do not secede or break away from Italy because, in order to do so we should be part of it») for a number of reasons. First, «Italy was proclaimed without the Venetian lands», consequently «Italy's existence does not depend on the Venetian land. Even without the Venetian land, Italy would still be united, as it was united before adding Veneto». Second, the annexation of the Venetian land was not legitimized by any military conquest: «Italy did not win, its allied won». Third, the annexation was not legitimized by any democratic vote: «a referendum was required for the annexation [...but it] was neither free, nor secret». Fourth, «the annexation took place two days before the vote». Fifth, the political unity of the Italian Peninsula is not even reached today, as the Peninsula is still split in three States: «Italian Republic, Vatican City State and Most Serene Republic of San Marino».
One of the founding members of the movement, Gianluca Busato, launched the Venetian National Party
Venetian National Party
The Venetian National Party was a Venetist, libertarian and separatist political party active in Veneto, Lombardy and Friuli-Venezia Giulia...
(PNV) in 2007. In the run up of the 2009 municipal elections, The Venetians invited Carlo Covi
Carlo Covi
Carlo Covi is an Italian Venetist politician.He entered politics in 1995 when he was elected to the Municipal Council of Padua as an independent Democrat of the Left. In 1999 he joined the Italian Democratic Socialists , was re-elected to the Municipal Council and became the local leader of the...
of Venetian Agreement
Venetian Agreement
Venetian Agreement is a centrist social-democratic Italian political party active in Veneto.It emerged in 2006 as a regional split from the Italian Democratic Socialists and it is led by Carlo Covi, regional deputy, and Monica Balbinot, minister of Culture of Padova...
to a convention, leading some to think that this was an endorsement. Shortly after in fact, in November 2009 the movement joined other Venetist parties, including Venetian Agreement and Liga Veneta Repubblica, in forming Veneto Freedom
Veneto Freedom
Veneto Freedom was a Venetist-separatist coalition of parties active in Veneto.Talks between several Venetist parties over the formation of a united party as a reliable competitor of Liga Veneta–Lega Nord started in February 2008 during a meeting in Pastrengo, Verona.The alliance, promoted by...
. However, as soon as in January 2010, the coalition disbanded and its independentist core formed a more coherent outfit, the Party of the Venetians
Party of the Venetians
The Party of the Venetians was a Venetist-separatist coalition of parties active in Veneto.The alliance, which was formed in January 2010, after the disbandment of Veneto Freedom, was composed of five groups, which continued to be active as factions of Veneto State, since when the PdV was merged...
, which was later merged in September 2010 with the PNV to form Veneto State
Veneto State
Veneto State is a Venetist independentist political party active in Veneto and eastern Lombardy. The party seeks to achieve full political independence for the former territories of the Venetian Republic from Italy through a referendum...
, a united Venetist-separatist party. A leading member of The Venetians, Giustino Cherubin, was elected president of the new party.
Leadership
- President: Patrik Riondato (2006–...)
The Minor Conséjo, named after one of the institutions of the late Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
and also known as National Council, functions as executive secretariat of the party. Currently it is composed by Patrik Riondato, Ivan Salvador, Giustino Cherubin and Fabrizio Disarò.