ControCorrente

Upstream
ControCorrente
LeaderIsmaele La Vardera
Founded14 February 2025
Split fromSouth calls North
IdeologyRegionalism
Anti-establishment
National affiliationCivic Project Italy
Sicilian Regional Assembly
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Website
siciliacontrocorrente.it

ControCorrente (lit. 'Upstream', CC), whose complete neame is Upstream – Fighting to Remain (Italian: ControCorrente – Lottare per Restare), is a political party active in Sicily and led by Ismaele La Vardera. The movement presents itself as a civic, regionalist and anti-establishment political force, advocating transparency, political renewal, and opposition to traditional party structures in Sicily.

History

ControCorrente was officially launched in February 2025 in Palermo by Ismaele La Vardera, a member of the Sicilian Regional Assembly and former television journalist. The movement was created after La Vardera's split from South calls North (ScN), led by Cateno De Luca, due to disagreements over the party's political position. From its foundation, ControCorrente emphasized issues such as institutional transparency, the fight against corruption, environmental protection, healthcare reform, and support for young people and local communities. The movement gradually established local branches and thematic departments across Sicily.

In the 2026 Sicilian local elections, ControCorrente achieved its most significant electoral successes. Candidates supported by the movement won mayoral races in Agrigento, where Michele Sodano was elected mayor, and in Bronte, where Giuseppe Gullotta secured victory. These results represented the first major administrative victories for the movement and strengthened its presence in local government.

On 14 May 2026, Sonia Alfano, former Italian MEP, joined the party, while on 29 June 2026, two members of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, Carlo Gilistro and Josè Marano, left the Five Star Movement (M5S) to join CC. On the following day, Alessandro De Leo, from the Mixed Group, joined the party, thus an autonomous group was officially formed within the regional assembly.

On 30 July 2026, ControCorrente joined Civic Project Italy (PCI), a political movement founded by Alessandro Onorato, municipal councillor for major events, sport and tourism of Rome. At the same time, La Vardera was appointed president of the movement.

References

  1. ↑ "La Vardera lancia in Sicilia il nuovo movimento "Controcorrente" (in Italian). ANSA. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  2. ↑ "La Vardera dice addio a Cateno De Luca. Il deputato passa al gruppo misto". LetteraEmme (in Italian). 14 October 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "La Vardera lascia Sud chiama Nord e va al gruppo misto: "Troppa distanza tra me e Cateno De Luca"" (in Italian). PalermoToday. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  4. ↑ "Ars, La Vardera dice addio a "Sud chiama Nord" dopo la svolta a destra di De Luca" (in Italian). la Repubblica. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  5. ↑ "ControCorrente – Dipartimenti". ControCorrente (in Italian). 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "La Vardera: Controcorrente fa il bis al ballottaggio vittoria ad Agrigento e Bronte" (in Italian). ANSA. 8 June 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Risultati elezioni comunali Agrigento 2026". Sky TG24 (in Italian). 25 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Chi è Michele Sodano, nuovo sindaco di Agrigento". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 8 June 2026.
  9. ↑ ANSA, Agenzia (11 May 2026). "Sonia Alfano e i consiglieri Oso aderiscono al progetto di La Vardera - Notizie - Ansa.it". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  10. ↑ Sicilia, Redazione La (29 June 2026). "Due deputati lasciano il M5S e vanno con La Vardera: Controcorrente avrà ora un suo gruppo all'Ars". www.lasicilia.it (in Italian). Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  11. ↑ "Nasce all'assemblea regionale il gruppo parlamentare di Controcorrente". Giornale di Sicilia (in Italian). 29 June 2026. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Sicilia, primo tavolo del campo largo per le Regionali. Intanto due deputati M5s passano con La Vardera: "Nessuno strappo, ma ci ignorano"". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). 30 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Nasce il gruppo Controcorrente all'Ars con 4 deputati, La Vardera: "Nessun passo indietro, corro per la presidenza" -- Nasce il gruppo Controcorrente all'Ars con 4 deputati, La Vardera: "Nessun passo indietro, corro per la presidenza"" (in Italian). Palermo Today. 1 July 2026. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "La Vardera presidente di Progetto Civico, intesa fra Controcorrente e il movimento di Onorato". la Repubblica. Retrieved 31 July 2026.