Central and local government Flashcards
December 1925
laws changed structure of government
Mussolini was head of government; accountable to king, not parliament
could alone decide what was discussed in parliament and initiate legislation
laws had to be ratified by parliament; rubber stamp
May 1928
law set out that parliament was to be made of 400 deputies chosen by Fascist Ground Council from a list of 1,000 candidates nominated by fascist confederations and public bodies
December 1928
Grand Council’s role formalised in constitution as most important body in state
Significant move on paper; provided framework for PNF to retain power after Mussolini’s death
Had little influence in reality
Mussolini had power to appoint top PNF leaders and set laws
Grand Council had no consultation for major policies; eg. entry into WW2 in 1940
Council barely met during 1930’s
Senate
Mussolini chose to leave the Senate, whose members were appointed for life by the king, unchanged
1932: 148 senators were not PNF members
Mussolini accommodated existing political elite to cement dictatorship
Over time, Mussolini ensured all new Senate members were fascists
Local government
traditional prefect as the highest state authority remained; mostly held by career civil servants
tasked with organising police, ensuring censorship and reporting local fascist branches to ensure Mussolini was able to control actions of PNF throughout Italy
prefects selected by Mussolini; ensured loyalty
Ras
Ras hoped for considerable reform and provinces under their control, Mussolini did not want this
podestá
Local councils run by podestá; given to existing conservative elite, not fascists
mussolini’s power
Local government out of control of fascist party and places in hands of conservative elites and career civil servants
This did not lessen Mussolini’s power; prefects and podestá owed position to Mussolini; local authorities would carry out his policies strengthened his dictatorship in expense of the PNF
