Publishing

‘L’Unità’ to cease publication. Negotiations with the PD regarding its acquisition

The Democratic Party has expressed “interest and a willingness to purchase the newspaper”

by Davide Madeddu

8 July 2026

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Piero Sansonetti, Direttore de L'Unita' (Imagoeconomica)

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

The company
The negotiations
Suspended publications
A journey of ups and downs

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

For the historic newspaper founded by Antonio Gramsci, which has announced the suspension of its publications, this could be – albeit in a different way – a sort of homecoming. The Democratic Party has expressed “interest and a willingness to purchase the newspaper”. This was confirmed yesterday by sources at the Nazareno following the announcement of the suspension of publication by Romeo Editore, the company that had taken over the paper in 2022.

The company

“Three years ago, Romeo Editore took over the publication *l’Unità*, saving it from bankruptcy which would have marked its definitive end,” the company stated in a press release. “From day one, our commitment has been twofold: to put the finances in order, ensuring the newspaper is managed properly and rigorously, and, at the same time, to preserve its history with the clear aim of returning the publication to its natural home, the Democratic Party.”

The negotiations

Romeo Editore’s account then continues: ‘On this basis, a long and

extensive discussions with the PD, during which the publisher expressed his willingness to sell the newspaper for a purely symbolic price: a decision which demonstrates that the transaction was never driven by profit motives, but by the desire to return *L’Unità*

‘to the political and cultural community that gave rise to it’.

Suspended publications

So, the final step that ultimately led to the suspension of publications: ‘The discussions seemed to be heading towards a positive conclusion,’ continues Romeo Editore. ‘However, the Democratic Party decided not to take the negotiations any further.Having taken note of this decision, with the prospect that had justified the commitment of recent years now having fallen through, and taking into account the further operating losses accumulated in the meantime, Romeo Editore finds itself forced to suspend publication of *l’Unità*.”

A journey of ups and downs

This is merely the latest chapter in the long history of the newspaper founded by Antonio Gramsci in 1924. In 1999, there was what was described as the “tragic closure”. The new era began in 2001 with the paper’s return to newsstands under the editorial leadership of Colombo Padellaro, followed by a series of changes in ownership.

Then came Renato Soru’s arrival, a change in format and editorial direction. This was followed by further new arrivals, a hiatus in publication and a return to publishing. Finally, a final hiatus and the arrival of Romeo Editore in 2022. Now comes the latest development with the announcement that publication is to cease and the PD’s willingness to take over the newspaper, following a process that began some time ago and which could see the paper’s ‘return home’ to the PD, particularly in the run-up to the forthcoming election campaign.