2023-10-20 20:00:41
Edition from Saturday, October 21, 2023
Innsbruck (OTS) – The state elections in South Tyrol might be a turning point for the SVP, which has been in power since 1945, and seal its end as a collective party. On the other hand, LH Kompatscher can be trusted to turn things around with his stability mantra.
Politically, the face of South Tyrol has visibly changed in recent years. This is not only due to the state governor Arno Kompatscher, who has been in office since 2014 and who embodies modernity and contemporary politics beyond the borders of South Tyrol. In a country that continues to be defined by the painful history of hard-won autonomy and that, in terms of popular politics, is deeply influenced by the South Tyrolean People’s Party (SVP), which has been in power since 1945. Especially since the SVP, as a collective party for all social groups, has so far consistently defended its claim to sole representation for the German-speaking minority once morest Rome. But European normality is causing the collective party south of the Brenner to crumble; conflicting interests between workers, farmers and business have recently accelerated the process of fragmentation.
As anachronistic as clear political majorities are perceived today, in South Tyrol they ensured stability. They were basically part of the DNA of the SVP. The state elections on Sunday will therefore be a thrilling affair for them and for Kompatscher. There is a risk of losses, also because of competition from within our own ranks with former State Health Councilor Thomas Widmann. At the same time, Prime Minister Georgia Meloni’s post-fascist Fratelli are likely to become the strongest Italian-speaking party. The fact that a third coalition partner is needed for a majority in the South Tyrolean state parliament is also not ruled out and makes forming a government even more difficult.
If Arno Kompatscher has been praying for stability for weeks, he is of course doing so for party tactical reasons for his SVP. But not only. Because it’s just as much or above all regarding autonomy; regarding the negotiating position with the Italian state. Because the governments in Rome, whether left or right, govern centrally. Autonomy in South Tyrol is accepted in terms of real politics, but politically it does not fit into the Unità pushed by Rome.
It is possible that the solidarity effect intended by Kompatscher belies the poor survey forecasts for the SVP and that the state governor can slow down the losses due to his personal popularity ratings. Autonomy would benefit from this, but the SVP would not be able to avoid fundamental reforms. Because the myth of the collective party can no longer be maintained.
If the SVP and Kompatscher fall, no political stone will be left unturned in South Tyrol anyway. That would be the proverbial turning point with an uncertain outcome.
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