This was a turning point for the party as Pöder started to gain influence over Klotz.

In the 2008 general election, severely damaged by the split and by the competition of Die Freiheitlichen (9.4%), the UfS gained only 4.2% of the vote in the Province.

[11] In the forthcoming 2013 provincial election the BUfS will run as part of a three-party list, along with Ladins Dolomites, a centre-left outfit, and We South Tyroleans, a left-wing split from Die Freiheitlichen.

[16] Since the exit of Eva Klotz, the UfS tried to renew its image and to present itself as a centrist-conservative party.

The 2008 party programme included defense of family values, protection of the environment, and a moderately liberal economic policy, along with the historic goal of separating South Tyrol from Italy in order to re-unify it with old historic Tyrol composed from South, North and East Tyrol, founding the Europaregion Tirol (North-and East-Tyrol are actually parts of Austria).