# Citizens' Union

> political party

**Wikidata**: [Q1021009](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1021009)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens'_Union_for_South_Tyrol)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/citizens-union

## Summary  
The Citizens' Union (Bürger Union für Südtirol) was a political party in Italy, specifically active in the autonomous region of South Tyrol, advocating for national conservatism and regional interests. Founded on October 2, 1989, it dissolved in 2020. The party sought to influence policy related to the German-speaking population in South Tyrol.  

## Key Facts  
- **Founded**: October 2, 1989.  
- **Dissolved**: 2020.  
- **Country**: Italy (active in South Tyrol).  
- **Headquarters**: Bolzano.  
- **Ideology**: National conservatism.  
- **General Secretary**: Andreas Pöder.  
- **Aliases**: Union für Südtirol, Union fur Sudtirol, UfS.  
- **Logo**: Hosted on Wikimedia Commons at [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Logo_BürgerUnion.png](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Logo_BürgerUnion.png).  
- **Color**: Hex triplet #FFA700 (orange).  
- **Website**: [http://www.buergerunion.st/](http://www.buergerunion.st/).  
- **Identifiers**: GND ID 415028-4, ADVN ID org-004114, VIAF ID 124103797, Freebase ID /m/062fk0.  
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: 8 language editions (br, ca, de, en, fr, it, ru, sv).  

## FAQs  
- **When was the Citizens' Union founded and dissolved?**  
  The party was founded on October 2, 1989, and dissolved in 2020.  

- **What ideology did the Citizens' Union represent?**  
  It promoted national conservatism, focusing on the interests of the German-speaking population in South Tyrol.  

- **Who led the Citizens' Union?**  
  Andreas Pöder served as its general secretary.  

- **Why did the party dissolve?**  
  The dissolution in 2020 marked the end of its political activity, though specific reasons are tied to regional political dynamics.  

- **What were its aliases?**  
  It was also known as Union für Südtirol, Union fur Sudtirol, and abbreviated as UfS.  

## Why It Matters  
The Citizens' Union played a role in advocating for the rights and autonomy of the German-speaking minority in South Tyrol, a region with a complex history of ethnic and linguistic diversity. Its existence reflected broader political efforts to balance regional identity with national governance in Italy. The party’s focus on national conservatism highlighted tensions between local self-determination and integration into the Italian state.  

## Notable For  
- **Specific Founding Date**: One of few parties with a precise inception date (October 2, 1989).  
- **Short Lifespan**: Operated for 31 years before dissolution in 2020.  
- **Regional Focus**: Exclusively active in South Tyrol, emphasizing local governance.  
- **Distinct Color Symbolism**: Used orange (#FFA700) as a defining visual identity.  
- **Multilingual Recognition**: Featured in 8 Wikipedia language editions despite regional scope.  

## Body  

### History  
The Citizens' Union was established on October 2, 1989, in Bolzano, Italy, as a political force representing the German-speaking community in South Tyrol. It operated until its dissolution in 2020, marking a 31-year period of activism centered on regional autonomy and conservative values.  

### Ideology and Policies  
The party’s ideology was rooted in **national conservatism**, prioritizing the preservation of cultural and linguistic heritage of South Tyrol’s German-speaking population. It engaged in local governance to advocate for policies protecting minority rights and regional autonomy within Italy.  

### Leadership  
Andreas Pöder served as the party’s general secretary, guiding its strategic direction and political engagements.  

### Visual Identity  
The party’s logo, accessible via Wikimedia Commons, and its official orange color (#FFA700) reinforced its distinct branding in regional politics.  

### Online Presence  
The Citizens' Union maintained a website at [http://www.buergerunion.st/](http://www.buergerunion.st/), serving as a hub for its political messaging and activities.  

### Dissolution  
The party’s dissolution in 2020 concluded its role in South Tyrolean politics, reflecting shifts in regional political landscapes or organizational challenges.  

### Identifiers and Classifications  
The party was cataloged under multiple identifiers:  
- **GND ID**: 415028-4 (German National Library).  
- **ADVN ID**: org-004114 (Authority Database for Virtual Networks).  
- **VIAF ID**: 124103797 (Virtual International Authority File).  
- **Freebase ID**: /m/062fk0.  

These identifiers, along with its presence in 8 Wikipedia editions, underscore its recognized status in political and academic databases.  

### Regional Context  
As a party in Italy’s autonomous region of South Tyrol, it navigated the unique cultural and historical dynamics of a border area with Austrian influences. Its aliases, such as *Union für Südtirol*, reflected its commitment to the region’s German-speaking identity.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://data.advn.be/id)