View source for Politics of Apulia

{{Short description|Regional Italian politics}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Politics of Apulia}}

The politics of [[Apulia]], Italy take place in the framework of a [[Semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[representative democracy]], whereby the [[President of Apulia|President of the Region]] is the [[head of government]], and of a pluriform [[multi-party system]]. [[Legislative power]] is vested in the [[Regional Council of Apulia]], while [[executive power]] is exercised by the Regional Government led by the President, who is directly elected by the people. The current [[Statute of Apulia|Statute]], which regulates the functioning of the regional institutions, has been in force since 2004.

Prior to the rise of [[Italian Fascism|Fascism]], most of the deputies elected in Apulia were part of the liberal establishment (see [[Historical Right]], [[Historical Left]] and [[Liberals (Italy)|Liberals]]), which governed Italy for decades. At the [[1924 Italian general election|1924 general election]], which opened the way to the Fascist authoritarian rule, Apulia was one of the regions where the [[National Fascist Party]] (PNF) obtained more than 50% of the vote.<ref name="Corbetta">Piergiorgio Corbetta; Maria Serena Piretti, ''Atlante storico-elettorale d'Italia'', Zanichelli, [[Bologna]] 2009</ref>

After [[World War II]], Apulia became a stronghold of the [[Christian Democracy]] (DC), which was especially strong in rural areas. The region is now considered a stronghold of the "[[Centre-left coalition (Italy)|centre-left coalition]]" led by the [[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]] (PD), having been governed by such alliance since 2005.

Between 2005 and 2015 the region was headed by [[Nichi Vendola]], the first [[Coming out|openly]] [[List of openly LGBT heads of government#Sub-national|LGBT heads of a regional government in Italy]].

==Legislative branch==
{{Main|Regional Council of Apulia}}

The Regional Council of Apulia (''Consiglio Regionale della Puglia'') is composed of 51 members, 50 councillors and the President. 23 councillors are elected in [[Provinces of Italy|provincial]] constituencies by [[proportional representation]] using the [[largest remainder method]] with a [[Droop quota]] and [[open list]]s, while 27 councillors (elected in a [[general ticket]]) come from a "regional list", including the President-elect. One seat is reserved for the candidate who comes second.

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.<ref>[http://www.repubblica.it/speciale/2005/elezioni/regionali/sistema_puglia.html La Repubblica – Regional electoral law]</ref>

===2020–2025 composition===
[[File:Bari palazzo della Regione.jpg|thumb|250px|right|''Palazzo della Regione'' in [[Bari]] is the seat of the Regional Council.]]
{| class=wikitable
|-
! colspan=2|Party
! Seats
! Status
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}}" |
| [[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
| {{Composition bar|15|51|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}}}}
| {{yes2|In government}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Brothers of Italy}}" |
| [[Brothers of Italy]]
|{{Composition bar|6|51|hex={{party color|Brothers of Italy}}}}
| {{no2|In opposition}}
|-
| bgcolor="#F4CE13" |
| With Emiliano
| {{Composition bar|5|51|hex=#F4CE13}}
| {{yes2|In government}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Five Star Movement}}" |
| [[Five Star Movement]]
| {{Composition bar|5|51|hex={{party color|Five Star Movement}}}}
| {{yes2|In government}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Forza Italia (2013)}}" |
| [[Forza Italia (2013)|Forza Italia]]
| {{Composition bar|4|51|hex={{party color|Forza Italia (2013)}}}}
| {{no2|In opposition}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Lega Nord}}" |
| [[Lega per Salvini Premier|League]] 
| {{Composition bar|4|51|hex={{party color|Lega Nord}}}}
| {{no2|In opposition}}
|-
| bgcolor="#1034A6" |
| For Apulia
| {{Composition bar|3|51|hex=#1034A6}}
| {{yes2|In government}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}" |
| [[Action (Italian political party)|Action]]
| {{Composition bar|3|51|hex={{party color|Action (Italian political party)}}}}
| {{no2|In opposition}}
|-
| bgcolor="#87CEFA" |
| Populars with Emiliano
| {{Composition bar|2|51|hex=#87CEFA}}
| {{yes2|In government}}
|-
| bgcolor="#6AB55A" |
| Apulia Tomorrow 
| {{Composition bar|2|51|hex=#6AB55A}}
| {{no2|In opposition}}
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Other}}"" |
| Mixed group<ref>In support of the government: Antonio Tutolo (Independent). In the opposition: Stellato Massimiliano ([[Italia Viva]]).</ref>
| {{Composition bar|2|51|hex={{party color|Other}}}}
| {{NA}}
|}

==Executive branch==
{{Main|President of Apulia}}
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 currently composed by 10 members: the President and 9 regional ministers or [[assessor (Italy)|assessors]] (''Assessori''), including a Vice President (''Vice Presidente'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regione.puglia.it/index.php?page=struttura&opz=giunta&cust=1 |title=QUIregione |website=www.regione.puglia.it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712042244/http://www.regione.puglia.it/index.php?page=struttura&opz=giunta&cust=1 |archive-date=2007-07-12}}</ref>

===Current composition===
The current Regional Government was sworn in on 24 November 2020.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=2|Party
!
!Members
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}};"|
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|PD
|[[President of Tuscany|President]] <br>and 3 ministers
|-
|style="background:#F4CE13;"|
|With Emiliano
|CE
|2 ministers
|-
| style="background:#87CEFA;"|
|Populars with Emiliano
|PcE
|1 minister
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Italian Left}};"|
|[[Italian Left]]
|SI
|1 minister
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Five Star Movement}};"|
|[[Five Star Movement]]
|M5S
|1 minister
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Independent (politician)}};"|
|Independent 
|Ind
|1 minister

|}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Minister
! colspan="2"| Party
! Delegate for
|-
| Raffaele Piemontese<br><small>''(vice president)''</small>
| style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}};"|
| PD
| Finance and budget, infrastructures 
|-
| Anna Maurodinoia 
| style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}};"|
| PD
| Transports and sustainable mobility
|-
| Donato Pentassuglia
| style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (Italy)}};"|
| PD
| Agriculture, food processing, hunt and fishing, woods
|-
| Alessandro Delli Noci
| style="background:#F4CE13;"|
| CE
| Economic development
|-
| Gianfranco Lopane
| style="background:#F4CE13;"|
| CE
| Tourism 
|-
| Rocco Palese
| style="background:{{party color|Independent (politician)}};"|
| Ind
| Healthcare 
|-
| Anna Grazia Maraschino
| style="background:{{party color|Italian Left}};"|
| SI
| Environment, circular economy, housing 
|-
| Sebastiano Leo
| style="background:#87CEFA;"|
| PcE
| Education and labour, universities
|-
| Rosa Barone
| style="background:{{party color|Five Star Movement}};"|
| M5S
| Welfare and social policies
|-
|}

===List of presidents===
{{Main|List of presidents of Apulia}}
The current [[President of Apulia]] is [[Michele Emiliano]], who is serving his second term after winning the [[2020 Apulian regional election|2020 regional election]].
{{:List of presidents of Apulia}}

==Local government==

===Provinces and Metropolitan City===
[[File:Map of region of Apulia, Italy, with provinces-it.svg|thumb|right|300px|Provinces of Apulia]]
Apulia is divided into five provinces and one metropolitan city.

After the [[Metropolitan cities of Italy|2014 reform of local authorities]] the [[Province of Bari]] was replaced by the new [[Metropolitan City of Bari]]. Since 2014 the president of the province is no more elected directly by citizens, but is chosen by mayors and councilors of the municipalities of the province.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! scope="col" | Province / Metropolitan City
! colspan=1 | Inhabitants
! colspan=2 | President
! colspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Election
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Metropolitan City of Bari]]
| 1,261,954
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|[[Antonio Decaro]]<br>(metropolitan mayor)
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2019
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani]]
| 384,293
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
| [[Bernardo Lodispoto]]
| [[Independent politician|Independent]] ([[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]])
|2023
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Province of Brindisi]]
| 401,652
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
| [[Toni Matarelli]]
| [[Independent politician|Independent]] ([[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]])
|2022
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Province of Foggia]]
| 627,102
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|[[Giuseppe Nobiletti]]
|[[Independent politician|Independent]] ([[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]])
|2023
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Province of Lecce]]
| 802,807
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|[[Stefano Minerva]]
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2022
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Province of Taranto]]
| 581,092
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|[[Rinaldo Melucci]]
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2022
|-
|}

===Municipalities===
Apulia is also divided into 258 ''[[Comune|comuni]]'' ([[municipality|municipalities]]), which have even more history, having been established in the [[Middle Ages]] when they were the main places of government. There are eight provincial capital cities in Apulia, as the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani is the only province in Italy with three capital cities.

There are 258 communes in Apulia (as of January 2019):

*[[List of communes of the Province of Bari|41 in the Metropolitan City of Bari]]
*[[List of communes of the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani|10 in the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani]]
*[[List of communes of the Province of Brindisi|20 in the Province of Brindisi]]
*[[List of communes of the Province of Foggia|61 in the Province of Foggia]]
*[[List of communes of the Province of Lecce|97 in the Province of Lecce]]
*[[List of communes of the Province of Taranto|29 in the Province of Taranto]]

====Provincial capitals====
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! scope="col" | Municipality
! colspan=1 | Inhabitants
! colspan=2 | Mayor
! colspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Election
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[List of mayors of Andria|Andria]]
|100,357
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|[[Giovanna Bruno]]
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2020
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[List of mayors of Bari|Bari]]
|311,997
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|[[Antonio Decaro]]
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2019
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[List of mayors of Barletta|Barletta]]
|94,664
| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
|[[Cosimo Cannito]]
|[[Independent politician|Independent]] 
|2022
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[List of mayors of Brindisi|Brindisi]]
|88,482
| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
|[[Giuseppe Marchionna]]
|[[Independent politician|Independent]] 
|2023
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[List of mayors of Foggia|Foggia]]
|152,700
| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
|[[Maria Aida Episcopo]]
|[[Independent politician|Independent]] 
|2023
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[List of mayors of Lecce|Lecce]]
|89,902
| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
|[[Carlo Salvemini]]
|[[Independent politician|Independent]] 
|2019
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[List of mayors of Taranto|Taranto]]
|198,083
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party}}
|[[Rinaldo Melucci]]
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2022
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[List of mayors of Trani|Trani]]
|55,808
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|[[Amedeo Bottaro]]
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2020
|}

====Other municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants====
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! scope="col" | Municipality
! colspan=1 | Inhabitants
! colspan=2 | Mayor
! colspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Election
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Altamura]]
|70,789
| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
|Vitantonio Petronella
|[[Independent politician|Independent]] 
|2023
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Molfetta]]
|60,272
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|Tommaso Minervini
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2022
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Cerignola]]
|57,007
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|Francesco Bonito
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2021
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Manfredonia]]
|56,318
| {{party color cell|Forza Italia (2013)}}
|Giovanni Rotice
|[[Forza Italia (2013)|Forza Italia]]
|2021
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[Bitonto]]
|56,304
|{{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|Francesco Paolo Ricci
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2022
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" | [[San Severo]]
|55,297
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (Italy)}}
|Francesco Miglio
|[[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]]
|2019
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: left;" |[[Bisceglie]]
|54,847
| {{party color cell|Independent (politician)}}
|Angelantonio Angarano
|[[Independent (politician)|Independent]]
|2023
|}

==Parties and elections==
{{Main|List of political parties in Apulia|Elections in Apulia}}

===Latest regional election===
{{Main|2020 Apulian regional election}}
In the latest regional election, which took place on 20–21 September 2020, [[Michele Emiliano]] of the [[Democratic Party (Italy)|Democratic Party]] was re-elected President with 46.8% of the vote.
{{:2020 Apulian regional election}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.regione.puglia.it/ Apulia Region]
*[http://www.consiglio.puglia.it/ Regional Council of Apulia]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090306051303/http://www.consiglio.puglia.it/documentazione/statuto.pdf Constitution of Apulia]
{{clear}}

{{Politics of Italian Regions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics of Apulia}}
[[Category:Politics of Apulia| ]]
[[Category:Apulia]]