Autonomism (political doctrine)

Autonomism is a political doctrine which supports acquiring or preserving political autonomy of a nation or a region. It is not necessarily opposed to federalism, and souverainism necessarily implies autonomism, but not vice versa.

Examples of autonomist parties include Union Nationale, Action démocratique du Québec and its successor Coalition Avenir Québec (Quebec) and recent (2018) Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta (Alberta) in Canada, New Macau Association in China (Macau), Parti progressiste martiniquais (Martinique) in France, Lega Nord in Italy (Northern Italy) and Popular Democratic Party in the United States (Puerto Rico).

Alberta
In Alberta, the Freedom Conservative Party of Alberta (FCPoA), which was formerly known as Alberta First Party (AFP), Western Freedom Party (WFP), and Separation Party (SP), replaced the party's old ideology Albertan separatism to support promoting Albertan autonomy like Quebec's counterparts, instead as part of the new another changes under then elected Derek Fildebrandt's leadership.

In 2022, the Alberta provincial government passed the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act.

Quebec
Autonomism is a policy defended by four Quebec political parties, the Union Nationale (UN), the Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ), its successor Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and the Équipe Autonomiste (EA), are provincial parties that aim to obtain certain federal capacities and to give the title of autonomous state to the province.

Saskatchewan
The provincial government of Saskatchewan has called for greater provincial autonomy, with premier Scott Moe calling for a "New Deal with Canada" and referring to Saskatchewan as a "nation within a nation" when discussing a desire for more control over taxation, immigration, and policing. The third party Saskatchewan United Party also supports provincial autonomy.

In 2022, the Saskatchewan provincial government issued a white paper on its stance against "federal intrusion" and in 2023 passed Saskatchewan First Act.

Romania
The Székely autonomy movement is supported by local parties representing the Hungarian community and by most of the political parties in Hungary.

Spain
The Autonomous Communities of Spain may demonstrate the doctrine although it is limited in its extent.

Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland demonstrate autonomism in a federal state. The Swiss Federal Constitution declares the cantons to be sovereign to the extent that it is not limited by federal law. The cantons also retain all powers and competencies not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution.