The Sardinian Action Party (Partito Sardo d'Azione, PSd'Az), the main pro-sovereignty party of Sardinia, proposed early this week a motion before the Regional Council, the island's legislative body, calling for the chamber to "lead Sardinia towards full and complete independence and the breaking-off of institutional relations with the Italian State". Even though the motion has been rejected -the PSd'Az only holds 5 out of 85 seats in the Council-, the proposal has succeeded in starting a debate about self-determination.

Also, pro-independence parties such as Independence Republic of Sardinia (Indipendèntzia Repùbrica de Sardigna), which holds no seats in the Council, and the Sardinian Action Party itself have announced [here and here] they intend to boycott forthcoming elections to the European Parliament either by asking electors to abstain from voting or promoting a void vote. Both parties are thus protesting for Sardinia being included in the same constituency as Sicily, a more densely populated island, a fact that would hamper Sardinian candidates from being elected as MEP.

Further information:

• Il Sardegna: Sardisti, la mossa a sorpresa: «Battaglia per l'indipendenza» [pdf]
• Agenzia Italia: Centrodestra: PDL a PSDAZ, nessuna svolta indipendentista
• Nationalia: Dossier Peoples and Nations today: Sardinia