Italian People’s Party (1919–1926)
이탈리아 인민당 (1919–1926)
A Christian democratic party in Italy inspired by Catholic social teaching, active in the 1920s until it fell apart, deeply split between its pro- and anti-fascist elements. Its platform called for an elected Senate, proportional representation, corporatism, agrarian reform, women’s suffrage, decentralisation, independence of the Church and welfare legislation.
In depth
Founded by the priest Luigi Sturzo in January 1919, it won 100 seats that year and became the second mass party after the Socialists. It blocked Giolitti’s return in 1922 and after the March on Rome joined Mussolini’s first cabinet. When its Turin congress of April 1923 reaffirmed an anti-fascist line, Mussolini dismissed its ministers, and under Vatican pressure Sturzo stepped down as secretary and went into exile in 1924. The party joined the Aventine Secession after Matteotti’s murder and was dissolved with the other opposition parties in 1926. Christian Democracy was its post-war successor.