Five-time Liberal prime minister who brought the Fascists into his National Blocs in 1921
Prime minister of Italy five times between 1892 and 1921, he was a master of trasformismo, the flexible centrist coalition that isolated the extremes. In his last government of 1920–1921 he drove D'Annunzio out of Fiume with the army and naval guns, but after the factory occupations he did not stop the violence of the Fascist squads. In 1921 he formed the National Blocs of Liberals, Fascists and Nationalists to halt the growth of the Socialists, but won only 19.1 per cent and stepped down. He initially supported Mussolini's government and voted for the Acerbo Law, but withdrew his support in 1924, voting against the law restricting press freedom.
Activities and affiliations
-
1892–1921
Government and administration
Career Timeline
- 1892First term as prime minister
- 1920–1921Fifth government; ended the Fiume occupation
- 1921Formed the National Blocs; resigned after the election
- 1924Withdrew support from Mussolini's government