Politics of Umbria

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Umbria

The Politics of Umbria, one of the twenty regions of Italy, takes place in a framework of a semi-presidential representative democracy, whereby the President of the Region is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Legislative power is vested in the Regional Assembly of Umbria, while executive power is exercised by the Regional Cabinet led by the President, who is directly elected by the people. The current Statute, which regulates the functioning of regional institutions, has been in force since 2005.

After World War II Umbria became a stronghold of the Italian Communist Party. The Communists and their successors (the Democratic Party of the Left, the Democrats of the Left and finally the Democratic Party) have governed the region since 1970.

Legislative branch

The Regional Assembly of Umbria (Assemblea Regionale dell'Umbria) is composed of 30 members. 24 councillors are elected in provincial constituencies by proportional representation using the largest remainder method with a Droop quota and open lists, while 6 councillors (elected in bloc) come from a "regional list", including the President-elect. One seat is reserved for the candidate who comes second. If a coalition wins more than 50% of the total seats in the Council with PR, only 3 candidates from the regional list will be chosen and the number of those elected in provincial constituencies will be 26. If the winning coalition receives less than 40% of votes special seats are added to the Council to ensure a large majority for the President's coalition.[1]

The Council is elected for a five-year term, but, if the President suffers a vote of no confidence, resigns or dies, under the simul stabunt, simul cadent clause introduced in 1999 (literally they will stand together or they will fall together), also the Council is dissolved and a snap election is called.[2]

Executive branch

The Regional Government (Giunta Regionale) is presided by the President of the Region (Presidente della Regione), who is elected for a five-year term, and is composed by the President and the ministers or assessors (Assessori), who are currently five, including a Vice President.[3]

List of Presidents

Name Term of office Political Party Legislature
1 Pietro Conti 1970 1975 PCI I (1970)
1975 1976 II (1975)
2 Germano Marri 1976 1980 PCI
1980 1985 III (1980)
1985 1987 IV (1985)
3 Francesco Mandarini 1987 1990 PCI
1990 1992 V (1990)
4 Francesco Ghirelli 1992 1993 PDS
5 Claudio Carnieri 1993 1995 PDS
6 Bruno Bracalente 24 April 1995 16 April 2000 PDS/DS VI (1995)
7 Maria Rita Lorenzetti 16 April 2000 3 April 2005 DS/PD VII (2000)
3 April 2005 30 March 2010 VIII (2005)
8 Catiuscia Marini 30 March 2010 1 June 2015 PD IX (2010)
1 June 2015 incumbent X (2015)

Local government

Provinces

Umbria is divided in two provinces, which have been a traditional heartland of the left, from the Italian Communist Party to the current Democratic Party.

Province Inhabitants President Party Election
Perugia 671,821 Nando Mismetti Democratic Party 2014
Terni 234,665 Leopoldo De Girolamo Democratic Party 2014

Municipalities

Umbria is also divided in 92 comuni (municipalities), most of which were established in the Middle Ages. A large majority of them are controlled by the Democratic Party.

Municipality Inhabitants Mayor Party Election
Perugia 168,169 Andrea Romizi Forza Italia 2014
Terni 113,324 Leopoldo De Girolamo Democratic Party 2014
Foligno 58,162 Nando Mismetti Democratic Party 2014
Città di Castello 40,567 Luciano Bacchetta Italian Socialist Party 2016
Spoleto 39,574 Fabrizio Cardarelli New Centre-Right 2014
Gubbio 32,998 Filippo Mario Stirati Left Ecology Freedom 2014
Assisi 28,143 Stefania Proietti Democratic Party 2016
Bastia Umbra 21,874 Stefano Ansideri Forza Italia 2014
Corciano 21,332 Cristian Betti Democratic Party 2013
Orvieto 21,130 Giuseppe Germani Democratic Party 2014

Parties and elections

Latest regional election

In the latest regional election, which took place on 31 May 2015, Catiuscia Marini of the Democratic Party (PD) was narrowly re-elected President over the joint-centre-right candidate, Claudio Ricci. The PD was by far the largest party, while the Five Star Movement and Lega Nord Umbria had a breakthrough.

Candidates & parties votes votes (%) seats
Catiuscia Marini 159,869 42.78 (1)
Democratic Party 125,777 35.76 10
Reformist Socialists 12,200 3.46 1
Left Ecology Freedom 8,330 2.56 1
Civic and Popular (List) 5.172 1.47 -
Claudio Ricci 146,752 39.27 1
Lega Nord Umbria 49,203 13.99 2
Forza Italia 30,017 8.53 1
Brothers of Italy 21,931 6.23 1
Ricci President 15,784 4.48 1
Change in Umbria (incl. SC) 9,374 2.66 -
For Popular Umbria (incl. NCD, UdC) 9,285 2.64 -
Andrea Liberati 53,458 14.30 1
Five Star Movement 51,203 14.55 1
Michele Vecchietti 5.858 1.56
Umbria for Another Europe (incl. PRC) 5,561 1.58 -
Simone Di Stefano 2,457 0.65
CasaPound 2,343 0.66 -
Amato John De Paulis 2,155 0.57
Reformist Alternative 1.919 0.54 -
Matteo Piccardi 1,820 0.48
Workers' Communist Party 1,662 0.47 -
Fulvio Carlo Maiorca 1,304 0.34
New Force 1,255 0.35 -
Total 373,673 100.00 20+1

Source: Ministry of the Interior

References

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