Electoral Reform Flashcards
How did Mussolini move to change the electoral system to ensure Fascists were dominant in Parliament?
-He was confident he had the support of conservatives, many Catholics and most Liberals.
-Proposed that the party winning a plurality in a general election (providing it secured 25% of the popular vote) should receive two-thirds of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies.
-Mussolini argued it would produce a strong government with a large majority to deal decisively with Italy’s problems – NO MORE COALITIONS.
What belief was Mussolini counting on and what passed overwhelmingly in July 1923?
-counting on belief that it would be Fascists with that crucial majority, and that it would be nearly impossible to remove them from power.
-The ‘Acerbo Law’ was passed overwhelmingly in July 1923 – whilst armed Blackshirts roamed around the chamber!
What did many deputies actually welcome?
-Many Deputies actually welcomed an end to the dreaded coalition governments which they felt had plagued Italy for so long, and were prepared to turn a blind eye towards violence.
-Crucially, they also believed that Mussolini and the Fascists were still in favour of parliamentary government, and that normality would be restored eventually.
The Acerbo Law was first implemented for the April 1924 Election:
-The Fascists had campaigned with the Liberals (e.g. Salandra).
-They and their allies earned 66% of the popular vote.
-Fascist Deputies increased from just 35 to 374, giving them a clear majority.
-Mussolini had grown in popularity
-However, Blackshirt violence and ballot-rigging had contributed greatly to the result.
-The Socialists, meanwhile, still secured 2.5m votes – showing resilience.
-By this stage, however, Mussolini was still not a dictator.
