The Union of Christian and Centre Democrats (Italian: Unione dei Democratici Cristiani e di Centro, UDC) is a Christian-democratic political party in Italy. It is formally led by Lorenzo Cesa, although its most popular figure and practical leader is Pier Ferdinando Casini. The party is the driving force behind the Union of the Centre, and since 2008 the party's official name has been neglected in favour of "Union of the Centre" as the two organisations overlap.
UDC is a member of the European People's Party (EPP) and of the Centrist Democrat International (CDI), of which Casini is currently president. The party, which was part of the Pole/House of Freedoms from 1994 through 2008, is currently aligned with the New Pole for Italy and, therefore, it is affiliated neither to the centre-right nor the centre-left at the national level. Despite this, UDC takes part with The People of Freedom (PdL), the main party of the Italian centre-right, within several regional, provincial and municipal governments (notably in Lazio, Campania and Calabria), but has recently formed alliances also with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) in other regions (notably in Marche) and at the very local level.
Read more about Union Of Christian And Centre Democrats: Ideology, Factions, Popular Support, Symbols, Leadership
Famous quotes containing the words union of, union, christian, centre and/or democrats:
“Thus piteously Love closed what he begat:
The union of this ever-diverse pair!
These two were rapid falcons in a snare,
Condemned to do the flitting of the bat.”
—George Meredith (1828–1909)
“The best philosophical attitude to adopt towards the world is a union of the sarcasm of gaiety with the indulgence of contempt.”
—Sébastien-Roch Nicolas De Chamfort (1741–1794)
“As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.”
—George Orwell (1903–1950)
“Here in the centre stands the glass. Light
Is the lion that comes down to drink. There
And in that state, the glass is a pool.
Ruddy are his eyes and ruddy are his claws
When light comes down to wet his frothy jaws”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“In all history no class has been enfranchised without some selfish motive underlying. If to-day we could prove to Republicans or Democrats that every woman would vote for their party, we should be enfranchised.”
—Carrie Chapman Catt (1859–1947)