Labor Party – Laborists

Labor Party – Laborists Partito Operaio – Laburisti
Leader	Matteo Fontana
Founded	January 3800
Headquarters	Siracosa
Ideology	Social democracy
Political position	Center-left
Colour	Red and blue
Chamber	93 / 605
Senate	24 / 100
Mayors	5 / 20
Politics of Istalia Political parties in Istalia Elections in Istalia

The Labor Party – Laborists (Istalian: Partito Operaio – Laburisti, PO), is a social-democratic party in Istalia. Since its formation in January 3800, Labor has been led by Matteo Fontana.

The party was launched in late 3799 by Fontana, a prominent labor union leader from the region of Silicia. The party traces its roots to the pragmatic party called Populars for Istalia, as well as from the grassroots labor movement and a wide spectrum of progressive political parties and movements. The PO was formally established in January 3800.

The party currently serves in opposition, and its 93 deputies sit in the Socialist and Citizen Caucus in the Chamber of Deputies. The Labor Party's 24 senators sit in the Senate Socialists' Caucus.

History

Formation and first years

The Labor Party was formed on 1 January 3800, after having been launched in late 3799 by Matteo Fontana, a major labor union leader from Silicia. The new group rapidly grew in terms of both membership and popular support. In local elections in July 3800, they elected 1 governor and took control of 5 cities. Due to the locally-based electoral system in the Senate, the PO was thus granted 24 senators.

The Labor Party challenged the voting system in the Chamber of Deputies, however, which is based on mixed-member-proportionality; 400 deputies would be elected in single-member districts, while 205 would be chosen from national party lists. While Labor polled almost 25% of the vote in the election, they won only 15% of seats, in total 93. As a result, Fontana pledged to amend the system if elected President.

Ideology

The Labor Party formally describes itself as a democratic-socialist party, which it considers synonymous with support for social democracy. Despite its ideological roots in Marxism, the party is considered to be a part of the maintream segment of Istalian parties. In contrast to other social-democratic parties, the PO emphasizes strong nationalistic policies, based on anti-imperialism and anti-globalization. This, along with its ardent federalism and anti-establishment rhetoric, has helped brand Labor as a left-wing populist group.

The traditional strongholds of the party have been in the agrarian regions, as well as in industrial districts of major cities. The Laborists historically perform vastly better among the Majatran ethnic minority, than in the Istalian population at large. While initially secular, the party has gradually moved towards an embracement of liberal Ahmadism.

Election results

Chamber of Deputies

Election year	Votes	Seats		Position	Size
	%	#	+/–
3802	24.5	93 / 605	93	opposition	2nd

Senate

Election year	Seats		Size
	#	+/–
3800	24 / 100	24	2nd
3805	36 / 100	12	2nd

Local government

Election year
	Governors		Mayors
	#	+/–	#	+/–
3800	1 / 5	1	5 / 20	5
3804	1 / 5	0	8 / 20	3

Party leaders

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