Declaration

Padanian Declaration of Independence, 1996

Lega Nord leader Umberto Bossi symbolically declared the independence of "Padania" from Italy, a declaration never recognised by any state.

What happened

On 15 September 1996, in Venice, Umberto Bossi issued a declaration of independence for "Padania," arguing that wealthier northern Italian regions were hampered by poorer, less-developed regions to the south and that a breakaway republic would remain a member of the European Union.[1] The declaration was purely symbolic and was never recognised as legitimate by Italy or by any other state or international body.[2]

In October 1997, Lega Nord organised what it called "the first elections to the Padanian Parliament," an unofficial body with no legal standing under Italian law.[3]

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

  1. 1.

    Claim: On 15 September 1996, in Venice, Umberto Bossi issued a declaration of independence for "Padania," arguing that wealthier northern Italian regions were hampered by poorer, less-developed regions to the south and that a breakaway republic would remain a member of the European Union.

    • Padanian Declaration of Independence (Wikipedia) link, Declaration text and context section. Source record
  2. 2.

    Claim: The 1996 declaration was purely symbolic and was never recognised as legitimate by Italy or by any other state or international body.

    • Padanian Declaration of Independence (Wikipedia) link, Recognition section. Source record
  3. 3.

    Claim: In October 1997, Lega Nord organised what it called "the first elections to the Padanian Parliament," an unofficial body with no legal standing under Italian law.

Source note

Show in the notes list