# Italian Democratic Party local disputes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-democratic-party-local-disputes > Updated: 2026-08-06T15:02:22.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. In late July 2026, Democratic Party (PD) councillors in Turin took part in a stress‑management and public‑speaking workshop run by a local osteopathy school. The instructor cited Benito Mussolini’s posture as an example of speaker stance, explicitly stating the dictator was not a role model. Right‑wing parties seized on the reference, accusing the PD of invoking fascist symbolism. A week later, the PD faced further criticism when Senator Simona Petrucci of Fratelli d'Italia denounced a PD‑initiated order of the day on the Merse river water‑injection project in Grosseto, labeling it political posturing amid a regional water crisis. Simultaneously, the PD in Ferrara announced the appointment of former parliamentarian Giuditta Pini as its new communications chief, aiming to improve messaging and coordination at the local level. Together, the snapshots illustrate a pattern of the PD’s local activities drawing right‑wing attacks while the party seeks to strengthen its internal organization and public outreach. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-06: Italian Democratic Party criticized over Grosseto water plan as it appoints new communications chief in Ferrara The Democratic Party faces criticism over a Grosseto water project while appointing former MP Giuditta Pini to lead its Ferrara communications strategy. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-democratic-party-criticized-over-grosseto-water-plan-as-it-appoints-new-communications-chief ### 2026-07-24: Italian Democratic Party councillors' speaking course sparks right‑wing criticism Democratic Party councillors in Turin took a public‑speaking workshop that referenced Benito Mussolini’s posture, prompting Italy’s right‑wing to criticize the left‑wing party. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-democratic-party-councillors-speaking-course-sparks-rightwing-criticism --- Cite as: Italian Democratic Party local disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-democratic-party-local-disputes