The Democratic Union was a small social-liberal

Social liberalism

Social liberalism is the belief that liberalism should include social justice. It differs from classical liberalism in that it believes the legitimate role of the state includes addressing economic and social issues such as unemployment, health care, and education while simultaneously expanding...

 party in Italy.

It was founded in 1996 by Antonio Maccanico (president of the party until 1999), Willer Bordon and Giorgio Benvenuto, both members of Democratic Alliance

Democratic Alliance (Italy)

The Democratic Alliance was an Italian political party founded in 1993, with the intent of becoming the container of an alliance of centre-left forces. However, the project did not succeed, and it presented itself as a minor party, mainly composed of former Republicans and former Communists...

. The party formed a list with the Italian People's Party

Italian People's Party (1994-2002)

The Italian People's Party was a Christian democratic political party in Italy-History:The party emerged as the successor to Christian Democracy in January 1994...

 for 1996 elections, electing four deputies and one senator.

In 1999 the party joined Romano Prodi

Romano Prodi

Romano Prodi is an Italian politician and statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of Italy, from 17 May 1996 to 21 October 1998 and from 17 May 2006 to 8 May 2008...

's new party, the The Democrats.