Clash over the Christmas Village in District 8 (2026)

On 31 October 2026 the «Villaggio di Natale» (Christmas Village) project, an entertainment initiative for families and children to be held at Parco del Valentino, becomes a point of political conflict within Turin's District 8 (Circoscrizione 8). The project, promoted by the association Anesv through a public call for proposals, also includes activities aimed at young patients of the Regina Margherita children's hospital and of Casa UGI. ^[1]

The position of the Democratic Party and Avs

The Democratic Party (Pd) and Avs (Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra, Greens and Left Alliance) oppose the use of public funds to support the initiative, a position set out by budget coordinator Riccardo Tassone and environment coordinator Giovanna Garrone. According to the two groups, the district's resources should go to other projects; they note that at Easter a share of funding had nonetheless been granted to the association's previous project, but the line set out for the future rules out further public contributions. ^[1]

The split within the executive

Half of the district executive (Giunta) had opposed convening the relevant committee on the matter. Deputy chair and commerce coordinator Dario Pera nonetheless convened the session, a choice Tassone called «a serious breach of the executive's agreed line». At the end of the committee meeting, the executive's official position remains not to allocate any contribution. ^[1]

The opposition's reactions

The centre-right and the Moderati defend the project, stressing that the Anesv association took part in the public call for proposals through the proper channels. Speaking in its support were League councillor Gerardo Mancuso, Moderati councillor Antonio Palumbo, Casa Riformista group leader Alessandro Lupi, Fratelli d'Italia councillor Claretta Marchi and League group leader Stefano Delpero, all critical of the Democratic Party's position. ^[1]

The political context in District 8

The Christmas Village affair comes against a backdrop of wider tension in District 8, marked by 14 signatures collected for a motion of no confidence against coordinator Tassone, by the so-called «Maccarone case», pending since February 2026 over a seat on the executive, and by the fallout from a hot-mic incident involving coordinator Pera. League councillor Claudia Amadeo spoke to close the debate in the chamber. ^[1]

Related articles: Controversy over the 'Christmas Village' at Parco del Valentino (October 2026)

Sources

1. Tensione alle stelle in Circoscrizione 8: il “Villaggio di Natale” spacca la maggioranza — TorinoOggi, 31 October 2026