Election Date: November 9, 2008

Abstract: At stake: Grand and General Council

At stake: Grand and General Council

Background

San Marino, an enclave of Italy, is one of the smallest countries in the world. Often mentioned as one of the oldest republics, the area is home to more than 31,000 registered voters.

San Marino is the oldest constitutional republic in the world and also has the oldest written constitution still in effect, dating back to 1600.

During World War II, San Marino adopted the policy of neutrality and actually hosted close to 100,000 refugees from other parts of Italy. In 1988, the country joined the Council of Europe and attained a seat in the United Nations (UN) four years later.

While San Marino is not a member of the European Union (EU), it has used the euro as its national currency since 2002. Almost half of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from tourism, but San Marino has attempted to diversify in the areas of electronics, ceramics and banking.

Following the 2001 legislative ballot, the San Marinese Christian Democratic Party (PDCS) formed a coalition government with the San Marinese Socialist Party (PSS).

The 2006 ballot featured the debut of the Party of Socialists and Democrats (PSD), which was created in 2005 following the merger of the PSS and the Party of Democrats (PD).

The PDCS secured 21 seats, followed by the PSD with 20, and the Popular Alliance (AP) with seven. Turnout was tabled at 71.8 per cent.

On Jul. 27, Fiorenzo Stolfi became the new secretary of state for foreign affairs—the highest office in San Marino. Stolfi had previously held the position from June 2002 to December 2002.

Click Here for San Marino’s 2006 Grand and General Council Election Tracker

2008 Grand and General Council Election

San Marino’s political system is based on the Roman Republic. There are two heads of state—the Captains-regent—who serve for six-month terms, and one head of government: the Secretary of state for foreign and political affairs.

Gianfranco Terenzi and Loris Francini are the current Captains-regent. Fiorenzo Stolfi of the San Marinese Christian Democratic Party (PDCS) has served as head of government since July 2006.

In June 2008, the coalition government encompassing the Party of Socialists and Democrats (PSD), the Popular Alliance (AP) and United Left (AU) fell apart when the AP left the administration ciring "irreconcilable differences" with its partners.

San Marino was not supposed to hold an election until 2011, but the coalition split resulted in the call for an early ballot in November 2008.

New regulations approved in 2008 will make San Marino’s electoral system similar to Italy’s. Parties are now organized in two major coalitions: The centre-right Pact for San Marino (Patto per San Marino) and the centre-left Reforms and Freedom (Riforme e Libertà).

Reforms and Freedom includes the governing PSD, United Left and the Centre Democrats. The Pact for San Marino encompasses the San Marinese Christian Democratic Party (PDCS), the liberal Popular Alliance, the Freedom List, and the San Marinese Union of Moderates.

Voting took place on Nov. 9. Final results gave the centre-right Pact for San Marino 54.22 per cent of the vote and 35 seats. The centre-left Reforms and Freedom finished second, with 45.78 per cent of the vote and 25 seats.

Turnout was tabled at 68.48 per cent.

A statement released by Reforms and Freedom read: “We are aware of the responsibilities that await us and that we will assume in the different institutional and political roles that we will play with hard work and a sense of statehood.”

On Nov. 14, PDCS leader Pasquale Valentini said that each one of the four parties in the coalition will have a fair share of participation in the administration, adding, “The priority now is to give the country an adequate government to face the emergencies that arise.”

Political Players

Captains-regent: Gianfranco Terenzi and Loris Francini
Secretary of state for foreign and political affairs: Fiorenzo Stolfi

The captains-regent are elected by the Grand and General Council for a six-month term and must belong to opposing political parties.

Legislative Branch: The Consiglio Grande e Generale (Grand and General Council) has 60 members, elected to five-year terms by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:

Grand and General Council - Nov. 9, 2008

	Vote%	Seats
Pact for San Marino San Marinese Christian Democratic Party (PDCS) Popular Alliance (AL) Freedom List (LdL) San Marinese Union of Moderates (USM)	54.22%	35
Reforms and Freedom Party of Socialists and Democrats (PSD) United Left (SU) Centre Democrats (DC)	45.78%	25

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