Democratic Party
A clear guide to Democratic Party (PD) in Italy: its history, social democracy ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Italy
- Founded
- 2007
- Position
- Centre-left
- Leader
- Elly Schlein
- Headquarters
- Rome
The Democratic Party (Partito Democratico, PD) is Italy's main centre-left party and the second-largest party in the country. It leads the opposition to Giorgia Meloni's government. Since 2023 it has been led by Elly Schlein, who moved the party in a more progressive direction, with Stefano Bonaccini as party president.
History
The PD was founded in 2007 by merging the Democrats of the Left, the heirs of the Italian Communist Party, with the Daisy, a party rooted in the left wing of the former Christian Democracy. It has led or taken part in several governments, including those of Enrico Letta, Matteo Renzi, Paolo Gentiloni and the Conte and Draghi coalitions.
Renzi, who led the party from 2013 to 2018, gave it a more centrist, reformist profile before leaving to found Italia Viva. After defeat in 2022, members chose Schlein, an outsider, over the party establishment's favourite in the 2023 primary.
Economic Policy
Under Schlein the PD has emphasised a legal minimum wage, public healthcare funding, measures against precarious work and investment in the green transition. It supports EU fiscal rules and the EU recovery fund.
Foreign Policy
The PD is strongly pro-European and supports NATO and aid to Ukraine, although some members are more cautious about increased defence spending.
Where They Stand
- Supports a legal minimum wage
- Prioritises funding for the public health service
- Favours legal recognition for children of same-sex couples
- Backs a more open path to citizenship for children of immigrants
- Is strongly pro-European and supports Ukraine
Electoral Record
The PD won 19.1 percent in 2022 and 24.1 percent in the 2024 European election. It leads regional governments in Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Apulia, and governs others with allies.
Position on the Political Compass
Democratic Party sits on the left-leaning side on economics and is more libertarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Romano Prodi
Prime Minister, 1996 to 1998 and 2006 to 2008
Founder of the Olive Tree coalition that gave rise to the party, and former President of the European Commission.
Matteo Renzi
Prime Minister, 2014 to 2016
Led the party in a centrist direction before leaving it in 2019.
Elly Schlein
Party secretary since 2023
A former MEP and regional vice-president who won the 2023 leadership primary.
Sources and Further Reading
- Democratic Party (Italy) (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitepartitodemocratico.it
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Italy political test to see how your views compare with Democratic Party and the other parties.
Take the Italy Test
Social Policy
The party is socially liberal. It supports civil unions, which it passed in 2016, and favours legal recognition for children of same-sex couples and a more open citizenship law.