Presidential and legislative elections in Sardinia are to be held on February 15 and 16. As usual, Sardinian nationalism will be extremely divided in the ballot box: some parties are contesting elections on their own and some are forming coalitions with other major parties. The elections, though, are seen as a struggle between center-left candidate, Renato Soru, and the center-right parties led by Ugo Cappellacci.

Sardinian parties can be divided in two main groups: those in favour of strengthening autonomy within the Italian framework and those seeking to sever ties with the State. The former are contesting elections within two coalitions headed by the two main Italian political parties. Thus, the Sardinian Action Party (Partidu Sardu, PSd'Az) will run in coalition with Silvio Berlusconi's The People of Freedom (Il Popolo della Libertà, PdL) led by Cappellacci. Former members of PSd'Az dissatisfied with the coalition agreement with The People of Freedom have finally decided to fund a party called Rossomori and join Soru's list -Walter Veltroni's Democratic Party (Partito Democratico).

Two pro-independence blocs

Independentist options are also affected by division. Independence Republic of Sardinia (Indipendèntzia Repùbrica de Sardigna, IRS), the main Sardinian pro-sovereignty party according to the share of vote obtained in the last Sardinian elections, will run a list headed by Gavino Sale. IRS only attracted 0.7% of the vote in 2004 elections and could not get representation in the Sardinian Parliament. They expect to improve their results and obtain at least one seat so that pro-independence views get a voice in the council.

News this year in the pro-independence political spectrum has been the foundation of Independentist Unity (Inidade Indipendentista, UI), a coalition made up of four parties led by Sardinia Nation (Sardigna Natzione). According to La Nuova Sardegna, UI has stated that the coalition will continue after next elections since it aims at becoming the alternative to the two main Italian political blocs.

Snap elections

Sardinian elections were supposed to be held next June. However, they were called for February due to President Renato Soru's resignation last November. Soru's challenge is to stop the center-right coalition, which, according to recent opinion polls, is likely to improve the 40.5% of the votes obtained in 2004. Opinion polls in fact show a tight race between Soru and Cappellacci which it is likely to have negative effects on independent lists such as those of pro-independence parties.

Further information:

• Sardegna Oggi: Elezioni: Soru e Cappellacci pronti al confronto
• L'Altra Voce: Irs presenta i suoi candidati. Né con Soru, né a destra
• La Nuova Sardegna: Unidade indipendentista: "Non votate per Roma"

Further information in Sardinia profile.