A new organization called “Democratic Community” will be launched in Milan on January 18th by a group of politicians, local administrators, scholars, and professors from the Catholic area. The aim is to give a voice back to the Catholic democratic political culture, which has been largely silent in recent years. The initiative is being promoted by Senator Graziano Delrio from the Democratic Party (Pd), with the participation of prominent figures like Romano Prodi, Pierluigi Castagnetti, and Ernesto Maria Ruffini. The organization is not a faction within the Pd but a platform for promoting Catholic democratic values within the broader political spectrum.
The Democratic Community is designed to operate within the center-left political spectrum without the intention of forming a separate “Catholic party” that sits between the two main poles. The focus is on reviving public discourse around Catholic democratic principles while also offering solutions to key national challenges such as demographic crises, healthcare reform, and urban regeneration. Delrio emphasizes two key pillars of the organization: a return to a bold European vision inspired by De Gasperi, and a municipalistic approach inspired by Sturzo as an alternative to regional centralization. The goal is to offer new ideas and proposals to the center-left on pressing issues.
The Democratic Community aims to engage scholars and educators who have worked on social issues and contributed to the “piano b” project, forming a think tank capable of generating ideas, projects, and programs. The event on January 18th will feature speakers like Leonardo Becchetti and Elena Granata, focusing on ethical as well as political themes. This initiative is not tied to immediate electoral pressures given the absence of upcoming national elections post-European elections, allowing for a more thoughtful and strategic approach to policy and ideological development.
The event in Milan will include speeches from figures like Ernesto Maria Ruffini, who has been suggested as a potential leader of a centrist group, although the focus is on building a network of committed individuals rather than emphasizing individual leadership. Many local administrators and mayors will participate, offering diverse perspectives on regional issues. The initiative is aimed at highlighting an important political tradition and clarifying the center-left’s policy proposals. The event coincides with the anniversary of Sturzo’s appeal to the “free and strong”, signaling a call to action for a more engaged and proactive democratic landscape.
The initiative is receiving support from within the Democratic Party, with figures like Lorenzo Guerini and Simona Malpezzi set to participate. Additionally, the newly-elected governor of Umbria, Stefania Proietti, who is not affiliated with the Pd, will also be in attendance. The response from the party leadership to this initiative has not been commented on, while other liberal democratic figures are observing the developments. Osvaldo Napoli from Action Party considers the initiative noteworthy and open to collaboration, while Enrico Borghi from Italia Viva shares a similar sentiment. The event’s theme, “Creating Connections. Healing Democracy”, reflects the organization’s commitment to revitalizing political discourse and engagement.
