Susanna Riva From September 24th to 27th, Pesaro will once again host the Festa dell'Unità, a symbolic event of the Italian center-left. This year, the event, moved to the Palaborgo in Borgo Santa Maria (Strada della Foglia 10), aims to give the party a new voice, overcoming the perception of a movement limited to the historic center and a presumed dependence on local issues such as restricted traffic zones.
The president of the Democratic Party, Stefano Bonaccini, described the meeting as "an urgent roundtable" to outline the electoral platform, which will be drafted in the coming weeks. The key words in the speech were leadership and priorities , concepts that must translate into concrete actions to address the economic and social crisis the country is experiencing.
The Festa dell'Unità returns to Pesaro: a stage for the center-left.
The move to Borgo Santa Maria was justified by the local Democratic Party secretary, Michele Gambini, as "renewing the party's focus on the entire city." The event also represents a response to criticism from some center-right figures who have labeled the Democratic Party "the party of the restricted traffic zone."
Organizers and participants wanted to demonstrate that the center-left's agenda is much broader, including issues such as economic growth, security, and gender equality.
Program and protagonists
Main days and appointments
The program features a series of debates, roundtable discussions, and musical performances. On Thursday the 24th, after the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, the mayors of the Pian del Bruscolo Union of Municipalities will discuss "How the Foglia Valley is Changing," followed by a discussion on the mechanisms of wealth concentration, moderated by Jack Lucchetti and Alberto Russo of the Politecnica Marche.
Friday the 25th will begin with the format "3 questions to two councilors," dedicated to social policies and urban planning, and will then welcome the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Michele De Pascale, for a discussion with the Democratic Party group leader in the Region, Valeria Mancinelli, on the topic of "A changing Italy as seen from the regions."
Saturday the 26th will be the busiest day: at 10:00 a.m., the roundtable discussion "Producing Value in a Changing World" will be held, featuring associations, unions, and local businesses. In the afternoon, starting at 5:30 p.m., a debate entitled "Armed to the Teeth? For a European Security Policy" will feature experts from the Institute for International Research and the Society for International Development. Starting at 7:00 p.m., PD President and MEP Stefano Bonaccini will chair an evening of questions to regional councilors.
The event will close on Sunday the 27th with a speech by former Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, along with Democratic Party MEP Matteo Ricci, on the theme "Becoming a Power. Instructions for a European Revolution." The afternoon will conclude with a roundtable discussion on gender equality and the language of power.
Political and strategic implications for the future
The presence of the President of the Marche Region, Francesco Acquaroli (Brothers of Italy), at the "Pesaro/Marche/Italy" roundtable is particularly significant. This is the first time a center-right representative has participated in the Festa dell'Unità, demonstrating a desire for dialogue between political forces in an electoral context where, according to Bonaccini, "Italy is always in the midst of an election campaign." The meeting, moderated by Giancarlo Laurenzi of Corriere Adriatico, will also bring together PD MP Augusto Curti and the mayor of Pesaro, Andrea Biancani.
The discussions shifted focus from traditional internal debates to national and European issues, such as security, economic growth, and inequality. The broad agenda demonstrates the center-left's intention to present a structured plan for next year's elections, supported by a leadership determined to renew its approach to voters.
Among the many initiatives, the spaces dedicated to the memory of the Gothic Line, evening concerts, and activities for children, including workshops run by Auser, stand out. These cultural and recreational opportunities aim to foster a broader climate of participation, involving not only political activists but also the general public.