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Grand Council of Fascism

Kingdom of Italy government body, 1928–1943

Grand Council of Fascism

Kingdom of Italy government body, 1928–1943

FieldValue
nameGrand Council of Fascism
native_nameGran Consiglio del Fascismo
native_name_langItalian
logoLesser coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1929-1943).svg
logo_size200px
logo_altCoat of arms
logo_captionCoat of arms
abbreviationGCF
formation
dissolved
statusParty governing body (1922–1928)
Constitutional body (from 1928)
headquartersPalazzo Venezia, Rome
location_countryKingdom of Italy
languageItalian
leader_titleKing of Italy
leader_nameVictor Emmanuel III
leader_title2President
leader_name2Benito Mussolini
leader_title3Secretary of the Council
leader_name3Party Secretary
main_organNational Fascist Party

Constitutional body (from 1928) The Grand Council of Fascism (, also translated "Fascist Grand Council") was the main body of Mussolini's government in the Kingdom of Italy, which held and applied great power to control the institutions of government. It was created as a body of the National Fascist Party in 1922, and became a state body on 9 December 1928. The council usually met at the Palazzo Venezia, Rome, which was also the seat of the head of the Italian government. The Council became extinct following a series of events in 1943, in which Benito Mussolini was voted out as the Prime Minister of Italy.

Powers of the Council

The session of the Grand Council of 9 May 1936, where the Empire was proclaimed.

Essentially, the council held these powers:

  • The power to elect the Fascist Party deputies, the nomination for the Party Secretary and other party leaders, the approval of the party statutes and the power regarding the party's policy.
  • The power to elect the Crown's line of succession including the choice of the heir to the throne, the right of the Crown, the power to choose possible successors to the Prime Minister, the power to choose the function and membership of the Grand Council, the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies (later the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations), the power to decide the rights and powers of the Prime Minister, international Treaties, and foreign affairs.

The Grand Council meetings were convened by the Prime Minister himself, and all decrees and laws could only be legalized after receiving his approval. In contrast to the Führerprinzip government model in Nazi Germany, the Grand Council retained the power to recommend that the King of Italy remove the Prime Minister from office. As all the former governing institutions had been subordinated to the Fascist Party, the Council was the only check on Mussolini's power.

Overthrow of Mussolini

Main article: Fall of the Fascist regime in Italy

The Allies invaded Sicily in July 1943. Grand Council member Dino Grandi proposed a vote of no confidence in Mussolini as leader of the Council and the party. A vote was held on the night of 24–25 July 1943 and passed with 19 votes for, 8 against and one abstention. Among the 19 votes of no confidence were those of Mussolini's son-in-law Galeazzo Ciano, who had been former minister of foreign affairs, and the influential marshal Emilio De Bono.

The following day King Victor Emmanuel met Mussolini and informed him that General Pietro Badoglio would lead Italy, as Prime Minister. Mussolini was arrested immediately after the meeting.

In September 1943 Mussolini was freed from imprisonment by German commandos and helped to regain power in northern Italy. He had those who voted against him tried for treason at the Verona trial. All of them were found guilty, with all but one of them being sentenced to death. However, only Giovanni Marinelli, Carlo Pareschi, Luciano Gottardi, Ciano, De Bono, and Tullio Cianetti, were physically present for the trial. With the exception of Cianetti, those present were all executed by firing squad on the morning of 11 January 1944.

Members of the Council

The composition of the Council was revised and defined by a law of 14 December 1929 and became a state body from 9 December 1928. Its members, selected among the party's gerarchi, are below. Their vote on the 25 July 1943 motion to depose Mussolini is also given next to their name.

President of the Council

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Benito Mussolini portrait as dictator (retouched).jpg90px]]Benito Mussolini
(1883–1945)31 October 192225 July 1943Deposed

Quadrumvirs

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Italio Balbo (cropped).jpg90px]]Italo Balbo
(1896–1940)27 October 192228 June 1940Died in office
[[File:Michele Bianchi Portrait.jpg90px]]Michele Bianchi
(1883–1930)3 February 1930Died in office
[[File:E. De Bono 04.jpg90px]]Emilio De Bono
(1866–1944)25 July 1943Yes
[[File:Cesare Maria De Vecchi1.jpg90px]]Cesare Maria De Vecchi
(1884–1959)25 July 1943Yes

Parliament

Main article: Italian Parliament (1928–1939)

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Tommaso Tittoni 1920.jpg90px]]Tommaso Tittoni
(1855–1931)1 December 191921 January 1929—
[[File:Luigi Federzoni 1930s.jpg90px]]Luigi Federzoni
(1878–1967)29 April 19292 March 1939Voted
[[File:Giacomo Suardo 2.jpg90px]]Giacomo Suardo
(1883–1947)15 March 193925 July 1943Abstention
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office[[File:Giuseppe Casertano.jpg90px]]
[[File:Alfredo Rocco.gif90px]]Alfredo Rocco
(1875–1935)24 May 19245 January 1925—
Antonio Casertano
(1863–1938)13 January 192525 January 1929—
[[File:GiovanniGiurati.jpg90px]]Giovanni Giuriati
(1876–1970)20 April 192919 January 1934—
[[File:Costanzo Ciano.jpg90px]]Costanzo Ciano
(1876–1939)28 April 193426 June 1939Died in office
[[File:Dino Grandi.jpg90px]]Dino Grandi
(1895–1988)30 November 193925 July 1943Yes

Positions in the Cabinet

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Giacomo Acerbo.jpg90px]]Giacomo Acerbo
(1888–1969)12 September 192924 January 1935Voted
[[File:Edmondo rossoni1.jpg90px]]Edmondo Rossoni
(1884–1965)24 January 193531 October 1939Voted
[[File:Giuseppe Tassinari2.jpg90px]]Giuseppe Tassinari
(1891–1944)31 October 193926 December 1941—
[[File:Carlo Pareschi (cropped).gif90px]]Carlo Pareschi
(1898–1944)26 December 194125 July 1943Yes
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Flag of Mussolini as Capo del governo of Fascist Italy.svg90px]]Duce2 July 192612 September 1929—
[[File:Giacomo Suardo 2.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Giacomo Suardo*
(1883–1947)2 July 19266 November 1926**Voted
[[File:Bottai 37.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Giuseppe Bottai*
(1895–1959)6 November 192612 September 1929**Voted
[[File:Bottai 37.jpg90px]]Giuseppe Bottai
(1895–1959)12 September 192920 July 1932Voted
[[File:Flag of Mussolini as Capo del governo of Fascist Italy.svg90px]]Duce20 July 193211 June 1936—
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Undersecretary
******
(1889–1972)20 July 193224 January 1935**—
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Undersecretary
******
(1889–1947)20 July 193224 January 1935**—
[[File:Ferruccio Lantini.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Ferruccio Lantini*
(1886–1959)24 January 193511 June 1936**Note
[[File:Ferruccio Lantini.jpg90px]]Ferruccio Lantini
(1886–1959)11 June 193631 October 1939Note
[[File:Presidium of the European Youth Union Renato Ricci (cropped).jpg90px]]Renato Ricci
(1896–1956)31 October 19396 February 1943Note
[[File:Carlo Tiengo (cropped).jpg90px]]Carlo Tiengo
(1882–1945)6 February 194319 April 1943—
[[File:Tullio Cianetti (cropped).jpg90px]]Tullio Cianetti
(1899–1976)19 April 194325 July 1943Yes
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Alberto de-stefani.jpg90px]]Alberto de' Stefani
(1879–1969)31 October 192210 July 1925Voted
[[File:Giuseppe Volpi 1925.jpg90px]]Giuseppe Volpi
(1877–1947)10 July 19259 July 1928—
[[File:Antonio Mosconi.gif90px]]Antonio Mosconi
(1866–1955)9 July 192820 July 1932Note
[[File:Guido Jung (cropped).jpg90px]]Guido Jung
(1876–1949)20 July 193217 January 1935—
[[File:Paolo Ignazio Thaon.gif90px]]Paolo Thaon di Revel
(1888–1973)17 January 19356 February 1943Note
[[File:Giacomo Acerbo.jpg90px]]Giacomo Acerbo
(1888–1969)6 February 194325 July 1943Yes
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Flag of Mussolini as Capo del governo of Fascist Italy.svg90px]]Duce31 October 192212 September 1929—
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Undersecretary
******
(1875–1940)31 October 192227 April 1923**—
[[File:Dino Grandi.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Dino Grandi*
(1895–1988)12 September 192920 July 1932**Voted
[[File:Dino Grandi.jpg90px]]Dino Grandi
(1895–1988)12 September 192920 July 1932Voted
[[File:Flag of Mussolini as Capo del governo of Fascist Italy.svg90px]]Duce20 July 19329 June 1936—
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Undersecretary
******
(1887–1980)20 July 19329 June 1936**Note
[[File:Galeazzo Ciano (cropped).jpg90px]]Galeazzo Ciano
(1903–1944)9 June 19366 February 1943Voted
[[File:Flag of Mussolini as Capo del governo of Fascist Italy.svg90px]]Duce6 February 194325 July 1943—
[[File:Giuseppe Bastianini in uniforme.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Giuseppe Bastianini*
(1889–1961)6 February 194325 July 1943**Yes
PortraitName
(Born–Died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Flag of Mussolini as Capo del governo of Fascist Italy.svg90px]]Duce31 October 192217 June 1924—
Undersecretary
*Aldo Finzi*
(1891–1944)31 October 192217 June 1924**—
[[File:Luigi Federzoni 1930s.jpg90px]]Luigi Federzoni
(1878–1967)17 June 19246 November 1926Voted
[[File:Flag of Mussolini as Capo del governo of Fascist Italy.svg90px]]Duce6 November 192625 July 1943—
[[File:Giacomo Suardo 2.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Giacomo Suardo*
(1883–1947)6 November 192613 March 1928**Voted
[[File:Michele Bianchi Portrait.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Michele Bianchi*
(1882–1930)13 March 192812 September 1929**—
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Undersecretary
*Leandro Arpinati*
(1892–1945)12 September 19298 May 1933**Note
[[File:Guido Buffarini Guidi foto giovanile.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Guido Buffarini Guidi*
(1895–1945)8 May 19336 February 1943**Voted
[[File:Umberto Albini.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Umberto Albini*
(1895–1973)6 February 194325 July 1943**Yes
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Aldo Oviglio (cropped).gif90px]]Aldo Oviglio
(1873–1942)31 October 19225 January 1925—
[[File:Alfredo Rocco.gif90px]]Alfredo Rocco
(1875–1935)5 January 192520 July 1932—
[[File:Pietro De Francisci crop.gif90px]]Pietro De Francisci
(1883–1971)20 July 193224 January 1935—
[[File:Arrigo Solmi.gif90px]]Arrigo Solmi
(1873–1944)24 January 193512 July 1939Note
[[File:Dino Grandi.jpg90px]]Dino Grandi
(1895–1988)12 July 19395 February 1943Voted
[[File:AlfredoDeMarsico.jpg90px]]Alfredo De Marsico
(1888–1985)5 February 194325 July 1943Yes
PortraitName
(Born–Died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Galeazzo Ciano (cropped).jpg90px]]Galeazzo Ciano
(1903–1944)23 June 193511 June 1936Voted
[[File:Dino Alfieri.jpg90px]]Dino Alfieri
(1886–1966)11 June 193631 October 1939Voted
[[File:Alessandro Pavolini (cropped).jpg90px]]Alessandro Pavolini
(1903–1945)31 October 19396 February 1943Note
[[File:Gaetano Polverelli 2.jpg90px]]Gaetano Polverelli
(1886–1960)6 February 194325 July 1943No
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Balbino Giuliano.gif90px]]Balbino Giuliano
(1879–1958)12 September 192920 July 1932—
[[File:Francesco Ercole.jpg90px]]Francesco Ercole
(1884–1945)20 July 193224 January 1935—
[[File:Cesare Maria De Vecchi1.jpg90px]]Cesare Maria De Vecchi
(1884–1959)24 January 193515 November 1936Voted
[[File:Bottai 37.jpg90px]]Giuseppe Bottai
(1895–1959)15 November 19365 February 1943Voted
[[File:Biggini.jpg90px]]Carlo Alberto Biggini
(1902–1945)5 February 194325 July 1943No

Royal Academy of Italy

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Tommaso Tittoni 01.jpg90px]]Tommaso Tittoni
(1855–1931)14 December 192916 September 1930—
[[File:Guglielmo Marconi.jpg90px]]Guglielmo Marconi
(1874–1937)19 September 193020 July 1937Died in office
[[File:Gabriele D'Annunzio (2).png90px]]Gabriele D'Annunzio
(1863–1938)12 November 19371 March 1938Died in office
[[File:Luigi Federzoni 1930s.jpg90px]]Luigi Federzoni
(1878–1967)21 April 193825 July 1943Yes

Special Court for the Defence of the State

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:No image.svg90px]]****
(1895–1979)27 July 192828 November 1932Note
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Antonino Tringali Casanuova
(1888–1943)28 November 193225 July 1943No

Secretary of the Party

Main article: List of secretaries of Italian fascist parties

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Michele Bianchi Portrait.jpg90px]]Michele Bianchi
(1883–1930)10 November 192113 October 1923—
[[File:Francesco Giunta 35.jpg90px]]Francesco Giunta
(1887–1971)13 October 192323 April 1924—
[[File:Fascist symbol.svg80px]]*Quadrumvirate*23 April 192415 February 1925—
[[File:Roberto Farinacci 1930.jpg90px]]Roberto Farinacci
(1892–1945)15 February 192530 March 1926—
[[File:Augusto Turati.jpg90px]]Augusto Turati
(1888–1955)30 March 19267 October 1930—
[[File:GiovanniGiurati.jpg90px]]Giovanni Giuriati
(1876–1970)7 October 193012 December 1931—
[[File:Achille Starace.jpg90px]]Achille Starace
(1889–1945)12 December 193131 October 1939—
[[File:Ettore Muti divisa.jpg90px]]Ettore Muti
(1902–1943)31 October 193930 October 1940—
[[File:Adelchi Serena PNF.jpg90px]]Adelchi Serena
(1895–1970)30 October 194026 December 1941—
[[File:Presidium of the European Youth Union Aldo Vidussoni (cropped).jpg90px]]Aldo Vidussoni
(1914–1982)26 December 194119 April 1943—
[[File:Carlo Scorza PNF.jpg90px]]Carlo Scorza
(1897–1988)19 April 194327 July 1943No
  • The Presidents of the Corporations: Industrialists, Farmers, Industrial Workers, Agriculture Workers.

Chief of Staff of the MVSN

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Francesco sacco.gif90px]]****
(1877–1958)1 February 19231 December 1924—
[[File:Enrico_Bazan_(senato.it).gif80px]]****
(1864–1947)1 December 192423 December 1928—
[[File:Attilio teruzzi.jpg90px]]Attilio Teruzzi
(1882–1950)2 January 19293 October 1935—
[[File:Luigi russo.jpg90px]]Luigi Russo
(1882–1964)3 October 19353 November 1939—
[[File:Achille Starace.jpg90px]]Achille Starace
(1889–1945)3 November 193916 May 1941—
[[File:Enzo Galbiati.jpg90px]]Enzo Galbiati
(1897–1982)25 May 194126 July 1943No

Officeholders who held appointments of a three-year duration

PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:GiovanniGiurati.jpg90px]]Giovanni Giuriati
(1876–1970)20 April 192919 January 1934—
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Edmondo rossoni1.jpg90px]]Edmondo Rossoni
(1884–1965)24 January 193531 October 1939Yes
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Ferruccio Lantini.jpg90px]]Ferruccio Lantini
(1886–1959)11 June 193631 October 1939Resigned from Council
[[File:Presidium of the European Youth Union Renato Ricci (cropped).jpg90px]]Renato Ricci
(1896–1956)31 October 19396 February 1943—
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Alberto de-stefani.jpg90px]]Alberto de' Stefani
(1879–1969)31 October 192210 July 1925Voted
[[File:Antonio Mosconi.gif90px]]Antonio Mosconi
(1866–1955)9 July 192820 July 1932—
[[File:Paolo Ignazio Thaon.gif90px]]Paolo Thaon di Revel
(1888–1973)17 January 19356 February 1943—
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Undersecretary
******
(1887–1980)20 July 19329 June 1936**—
[[File:Galeazzo Ciano (cropped).jpg90px]]Galeazzo Ciano
(1903–1944)9 June 19366 February 1943Yes
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Undersecretary
*Leandro Arpinati*
(1892–1945)12 September 19298 May 1933**—
[[File:Guido Buffarini Guidi foto giovanile.jpg90px]]Undersecretary
*Guido Buffarini Guidi*
(1895–1945)8 May 19336 February 1943**No
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Arrigo Solmi.gif90px]]Arrigo Solmi
(1873–1944)24 January 193512 July 1939—
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Dino Alfieri.jpg90px]]Dino Alfieri
(1886–1966)11 June 193631 October 1939Yes
[[File:Alessandro Pavolini (cropped).jpg90px]]Alessandro Pavolini
(1903–1945)31 October 19396 February 1943—
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Bottai 37.jpg90px]]Giuseppe Bottai
(1895–1959)15 November 19365 February 1943Yes
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:No image.svg90px]]Guido Cristini
(1895–1979)27 July 192828 November 1932—
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Roberto Farinacci 1930.jpg90px]]Roberto Farinacci
(1892–1945)15 February 192530 March 1926No
[[File:Augusto Turati.jpg90px]]Augusto Turati
(1888–1955)30 March 19267 October 1930—
[[File:Achille Starace.jpg90px]]Achille Starace
(1889–1945)12 December 193131 October 1939—
PortraitName
(born–died)Term of office25 July 1943 MotionTook officeLeft officeTime in office
[[File:Fascist symbol.svg80px]]****
(1864–1947)1 December 192423 December 1928—
[[File:Attilio teruzzi.jpg90px]]Attilio Teruzzi
(1882–1950)2 January 19293 October 1935—
[[File:Luigi russo.jpg90px]]Luigi Russo
(1882–1964)3 October 19353 November 1939—

Notes

References

References

  1. "Gran consiglio del fascismo". Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana fondata da Giovanni Treccani S.p.A..
  2. (1959). "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich". Simon & Schuster.
  3. (2010). "Mussolini". Bloomsbury Publishing.
  4. (2000). "Italian Fascism: Its Origins & Development". University of Nebraska Press.
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