Union of Christian and Centre Democrats (Italy)

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The Union of Christian and Centre Democrats (Italian: Unione dei Democratici Cristiani e dei Democratici di Centro), commonly abbrieviated to UDC, is a political party in Italy formed by a merger of the former Christian Democratic Centre (CCD, led by Pierferdinando Casini from 1994 to 2001, then by Marco Follini), United Christian Democrats (CDU, a split of Italian People's Party, led by Rocco Buttiglione from 1995) and European Democracy (DE, founded by Sergio D'Antoni) in 2002. Its headquarters are in Rome.

The new party was led by Marco Follini, secretary until October 15 2005 and by Rocco Buttiglione, president from the foundation to nowadays. The new secretary, elected on October 27, is Lorenzo Cesa, a MEP for the party, although the true leader and head of the list for the April election is Pierferdinando Casini. The party is part of the House of Freedoms coalition.

In the 2004 European Parliamentary Elections UDC had to show its electoral weight. The results were more positive then those predictated having gained 5.9% of the vote and returned 5 MEPs, while in 2001 elections the three parties scored 5.6% (sum of 3.2%, result of CCD and CDU, and 2.4%, result of DE). UDC was then the 3rd biggest party in the House of Freedoms, surpassing the Northern League. Follini becomes Vice-President of the Council wanting to straighten up the government by dimishing the influence of the Northern League in the executive.

Party logo for the 2006 general election.

In the regional elections of 2005 UDC and the House of Freedoms faced a severe defeat by gaining only 2 out of 14 regions. Follini asked Silvio Berlusconi to resign and form a new executive. In the new executive Rocco Buttiglione became minister with portfolio but Follini declined the post of Vice-President of the Council, wanting to dedicate himself to the party.

The party took part in the general election of April 9 and 10, 2006 with a new logo, characterized by the inclusion of the name of Casini, by far the most prominent member of the UDC. Casini himself was the leading candidate in many of the electoral constituencies. Despite the defeat of the House of Freedoms, the UDC improved its electoral performance gaining 6.75% of the vote and electing 39 deputies.

Leadership

Political parties of Italy [edit]