Populists with Rosa Manuela was a political party in New and Improved Medici. It was founded by Rosa Manuela and government MP's who supported Rosa Manuela in a coalition conflict. The party primarily advocates for populism and social justice.
History[]
Founding[]
In 2017, tension arose between factions in the Blue Coalition. This started between disagreements between the division of power between Prime Minister Ulfo Cervone and President Rosa Manuela. This lead to 30 MP's leave their parties, including 1 Communist MP, out of support for the president. Rosa Manuela was chosen as party leader at the first party congress.
Presidency (2017-present)[]
The party was formed shortly after the presidential elections, when Rosa Manuela defeated Diego Di Domizio.
Rosa Manuela did not have much conflict with the Cervone Government, and the Chancellery of the President praised much of the governments actions.
Rosa Manuela vetoed the tax raises in 2018, for the unemployment benefit plan introduced by the Ministry of Social Welfare lead by the Liberal Socialist Minister Carla Scotto, claiming, "this is not an option for rebuilding Medici's struggling post bavarium economy."
In 2019, Rosa Manuela gave Fauci from Esci, the mandate to form a government. The Populists joined the government.
After the departure of the Populists from government, Manuela faced Ivano Ferrantino, Esci's candidate for the presidency, in many televised debates, in which both candidates ended strong, this lead to the inconclusive results in October's first round of elections.
Rosa Manuela's 2021 campaign poster.
In Cervone Government (2017-2019)[]
Following the split within the Blue Coalition, the Populists all joined the Blue Coalition Parliamentary Caucus. A motion of no-confidence in the Cervone government was called by Federation Medici and supported by the Communists, with the hope of support from the Populists. However the Populists joined the government and the motion was rejected.
The Populists became the second largest party in government and took over the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Economy. Later the Populists also received the Ministry of Rural Affairs after a scandal with a Liberal Socialist Minister.
The Populists announced in late 2017, they will not run in the next elections with the Blue Coalition. They did however stay in government and in the Parliamentary Caucus.
After the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Claudia Ognibene, the Populists nominated their Deputy Leader Leopoldo Luisi for the position.
At the Populists convention in December 2018, Leopoldo Luisi was nominated as their Prime Minister candidate ahead of the 2019 elections. He is also now seen as the main successor for Rosa Manuela as party leader.
In Fauci Government (2019-2021)[]
The Populists were invited to govern alongside Esci and the Blue Coalition. Luisi was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and three other ministers were appointed, including the Minister of Education, Minister of Justice and Minister of Technology and Development. During their time as a part of this government, the Ministry of Rural Affairs was disbanded and the Ministry of Rural Development was formed.
After the coalition partners, especially Esci, failed to endorse Rosa Manuela for president, the Ministers of the Populists left the executive, and called for new parliamentary elections, and a caretaker government to be formed between all opposition parties.
In Opposition (2021-2022)[]
Since leaving the government, the Populists leader in parliament Leopoldo Luisi has been advocating for new elections, claiming the government is "incompetent" and "only good for resignation."
In Parola Government (2022)[]
The party formed a technical government with the United Opposition Bloc, the People's Force and We Can. Milo Parola of Take Back Our Medici became Prime Minister, with Luisi, Botta, and Dante as Deputy Prime Ministers.
In April the Party merged with the Move for Medici, and formed the Freedom Platform (Platteforma Libertate).
Leadership[]
| Leader | Date Elected | Date Resigned |
|---|---|---|
| Rosa Manuela | 6 June 2017 | 5 December 2021 |
| Alex Pignato (acting) | 5 December 2021 | 7 December 2021 |
| Leopoldo Luisi | 7 December 2021 | -Present |
Electoral Performance[]
Parliamentary Elections[]
| Election | Result | Chamber | Senate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 17.6% | 36/195 | 27/117 |
Presidential Elections[]
| Election | Candidate | First Round | Second Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Rosa Manuela | 25.3% | 51.4% |