[1][2] Then there was a group of former Rutelliani, including notably Paolo Gentiloni and Ermete Realacci, who became very close to Veltroni and to his idea of Democratic Party.
[3] In strict terms Veltroniani are generally progressives and modernizers, as opposed to Dalemiani who are more traditional social democrats.
[4] After the departure of Veltroni from party leadership in February 2009, Veltroniani talked about organizing their faction,[5][6] but finally there was a split between the staunch supporters of the new leader Dario Franceschini and those who soon started to criticize him.
[11][12] Pier Luigi Bersani was elected secretary and most Veltroniani joined AreaDem, the united minority faction led by Franceschini.
[13] In doing this he was supported by 75 deputies: 33 Veltroniani, 35 Populars close to Giuseppe Fioroni and 7 former Rutelliani led by Paolo Gentiloni.