75-544: Alcide De Gasperi DC Alcide De Gasperi DC The 1953 Italian general election was held in Italy on Sunday 7 June 1953. The election was characterized by changes in the electoral law. Even if the general structure remained uncorrupted, the government introduced a superbonus of two thirds of seats in the Chamber of Deputies for the coalition which would obtain at-large the absolute majority of votes. The change
150-553: A majority of seats in both houses. But the frustration with the lack of a supermajority caused significant tensions in the leading coalition. De Gasperi was forced to resign by the Italian Parliament on 2 August; De Gasperi consequently retired and died twelve months later. The legislature continued with weak governments, with minor parties refusing institutional responsibilities. Giuseppe Pella rose to power but fell after only five months, following heated disputes about
225-520: A mortal sin for a Catholic to vote for the Communist party and excommunicating all its supporters; however, in practice many Communists remained religious, and Emilia was known to be an area where people were both religious and communists. Giovannino Guareschi wrote his novels about Don Camillo describing a village, Brescello , whose inhabitants are at the same time loyal to priest Camillo and communist mayor Peppone, who are fierce rivals. In 1953,
300-525: A " centrist " coalition with the Liberals, Republicans and Social Democrats. De Gasperi formed three ministries , the second in 1950 after the defection of the Liberals, who hoped for more rightist policies, and the third in 1951 after the defection of the Social Democrats, who hoped for more left-wing policies. He ruled for five more years, helming four additional coalitions. "De Gasperi's policy
375-586: A 30th degree Mason of the Scottish Rite , who had been personally chosen by De Gasperi. In December 1945, he became prime minister for the first time, succeeding Ferruccio Parri and leading a coalition government that included both Italian Communist Party (PCI) and Italian Socialist Party (PSI), along with other minor parties like Italian Republican Party (PRI), Italian Liberal Party (PLI) and Action Party (PdA). Communist leader Palmiro Togliatti acted as deputy prime minister . He tried to soften
450-553: A Parliamentary Commission on poverty estimated that 24% of Italian families were either "destitute" or "in hardship", 21% of dwellings were overcrowded, 52% of homes in the South had no running drinking water, and only 57% had a lavatory. In the 1950s, several important reforms were launched, such as agrarian reform (Scelba law), fiscal reform (Vanoni law), and the country enjoyed a period of economic boom and development ( miracolo economico , or "economic miracle"). In this period of time,
525-531: A centrist coalition with Italian Liberal Party (PLI), Italian Republican Party (PRI), and Italian Democratic Socialist Party (PSDI). De Gasperi formed three ministries , the second one in 1950 after the defection of the Liberals, who hoped for more right-wing policies, and the third one in 1951 after the defection of the Social-democrats, who hoped for more leftist policies. He ruled for five more years, helming four additional coalitions. According to
600-704: A degree in philology . In 1905, he began to work as editor of the newspaper La Voce Cattolica (The Catholic Voice) which was replaced in September 1906 by Il Trentino and he soon became its editor. In his newspaper, he often took positions in favor of a cultural autonomy for Trentino and in defense of Italian culture in Trentino, in contrast to the Germanisation plans of the German nationalists in Tyrol. At
675-413: A massive population transfer, from the impoverished South to the booming industrial North, took place. This exacerbated social contrasts, including between the old-established "worker aristocracy" and the new less qualified immigrants ("operaio-massa") of Southern origin. In addition, a wide gap between rich and poor continued to exist. By the end of the 1960s, it was estimated that 4 million Italians (out of
750-553: A new government without the support of communists and socialists; he refused and a new cabinet was formed with the (centrist) Italian Democratic Socialist Party (PSDI) of Giuseppe Saragat , the PLI of Luigi Einaudi and the PRI of Randolfo Pacciardi ; the three leaders of the minor parties were appointed deputy prime ministers. The general elections in April 1948 were heavily influenced by
825-477: A population of 54.5 million) were unemployed, underemployed, and casual labourers. As noted by the historian Paul Ginsborg, the affluent society to this section of the Italian population "might have meant a television set but precious little else." The complaint campaign of the oppositions against the "scam law" reached its goal. The centrist coalition ( DC , PSDI , PLI , PRI , SVP , and PSd'Az ) won 49.9% of
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#1732791193132900-734: A republic (1946), signed a peace treaty with the Allies (1947), joined NATO in 1949 and became an ally of the United States, which helped to revive the Italian economy through the Marshall Plan . During that time, Italy became a member of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which later evolved into the European Union (EU). Crucial in this regard was the contribution of Defense Minister Randolfo Pacciardi ,
975-750: A victory of the Communist-dominated Popular Democratic Front (FDP). Italian Americans were encouraged to write letters to their relatives in Italy. The popular Italian-American singer Frank Sinatra made a Voice of America radio broadcast. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) funneled "black bag" contributions to anti-communist candidates with the approval of the National Security Council and President Harry S. Truman . Joseph P. Kennedy and Clare Booth Luce helped to raise US$ 2 million for
1050-464: A village, Brescello , whose inhabitants are at the same time loyal to priest Camillo and Communist mayor Peppone, who are fierce rivals. The campaign of the opposition to the "Scam Law" achieved its goal. The government coalition (DC, PSDI, PLI, PRI, South Tyrolean People's Party and Sardinian Action Party ) won 49.9% of national vote, just a few thousand votes from the threshold for a supermajority, resulting in an ordinary proportional distribution of
1125-666: Is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the European Union . From the very beginning of European integration , De Gasperi, Robert Schuman and Konrad Adenauer met regularly. He helped to organize the Council of Europe and supported the Schuman Declaration , which in 1951 led to the foundation of the European Coal and Steel Community – a forerunner in the process of European integration. In 1954 he
1200-422: Is patience", according to the foreign news correspondent for The New York Times , Anne O'Hare McCormick . "He seems to be feeling his way among the explosive problems he has to deal with, but perhaps this wary mine-detecting method is the stabilising force that holds the country in balance." In domestic policy, a number of social security reforms were carried out by various ministers of De Gasperi's cabinets in
1275-546: Is played by Ezio Marano . Centrism (Italy) The Centrism ( Italian : Centrismo ) was a political formula that inspired the Atlanticist , anti-communist , and centrist governments of the Italian Republic between the end of the 1940s and the early 1950s. The governments of this period, also known as "The Years of Centrism" ( Gli Anni del Centrismo ), were characterized by a coalition pact between
1350-530: Is said that he had to be given a State funeral as he had died with almost no means of his own. He is buried in the Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura , a basilica in Rome. The process for his beatification was opened in 1993. "De Gasperi was against exacerbating conflict", according to his former secretary and former Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti . "He taught us to search for compromise, to mediate." He
1425-670: The Christian Democracy (DC) and the other minor secular parties. The 1948 Italian general election were heavily influenced by the cold-war confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States. After the Soviet-inspired February 1948 Communist coup in Czechoslovakia , the United States became alarmed about Soviet intentions and feared that, if the leftist coalition were to win
1500-540: The Cold War , and lost a lot of votes to the right wing , which included resurgent Italian Fascist and neo-fascist politicians, particularly in Southern Italy . While the government won the election with a clear working majority of seats in both houses, frustration at the failure to garner the expected supermajority caused big problems for the leading coalition. Alcide De Gasperi was forced to resign by
1575-646: The Constituent Assembly elected Liberal politician Enrico De Nicola provisional head of state on 28 June 1946. As chief of the Italian delegation at the World War II peace conference in Paris, De Gasperi harshly criticized the sanctions imposed on Italy, but obtained concessions from the Allies that guaranteed Italian sovereignty. Under the Treaty of Peace with Italy, 1947 , the eastern border area
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#17327911931321650-581: The European Economic Community (1957), later developed into the European Union . At the end of the 1950s an impressive economic growth was termed "Economic Miracle". Italian families used their newfound wealth to purchase consumer durables for the first time. Between 1958 and 1965, the percentage of families owning a television rose from 12% to 49%, washing machines from 3% to 23%, and fridges from 13% to 55%. Christian Democracy 's main support areas, sometimes known as "vote tanks", were
1725-675: The Fascists during Benito Mussolini 's regime and the Italian Resistance during the Allies' gradual advance through Italy. The Christian Democrats won a resounding victory with 48.5% of the vote (their best result ever) and strong majorities in both the Chamber of Deputies and Senate. The Communists received only half of the votes they had in 1946. With absolute majorities in both chambers, De Gasperi could have formed an exclusively Christian Democratic government. Instead, he formed
1800-442: The Italian Parliament approved a bill that reorganised the health insurance system for service employees (e.g. banking and commerce), with a daily sickness indemnity equal to 50% of earnings for a maximum of 180 days a year, a flat-rate maternity payment, funeral allowance, and free hospital, medical, and pharmaceutical assistance through INAM. On 28 February 1949, De Gasperi launched a seven-year plan for social housing to increase
1875-574: The Italian Parliament on August 2; he retired and died twelve months later. The legislature continued with weak governments, with minor parties refusing institutional responsibilities. Giuseppe Pella rose to power but fell after five months only following strong disputes about the status of the Free Territory of Trieste , which Pella was claiming. Amintore Fanfani not receiving a vote of confidence , Mario Scelba and Antonio Segni followed with more traditional centrist coalitions supported by
1950-560: The PCI , which was the biggest communist party in a Western European democracy. In January 1947 he visited the US. The chief goals of the trip were to soften the terms of the pending peace treaty with Italy and to obtain immediate economic assistance. His ten-day tour, engineered by media mogul Henry Luce – the owner of Time magazine – and his wife, Clare Boothe Luce – the future ambassador to Rome –
2025-567: The Scam Law ( Legge truffa ) by its detractors, including some dissidents of minor government parties who founded special opposition groups to deny the artificial landslide to DC. The campaign of the opposition to the Scam Law achieved its goal. The centrist coalition (DC, PSDI, PLI, PRI, SVP , PSd'Az ) won 49.9% of national vote, resulting in an ordinary proportional distribution of the seats. Minor dissident parties resulted determinant for
2100-478: The Christian Democracy party. Time magazine backed the campaign and featured De Gasperi on its 19 April 1948 issue's cover and in its lead story. He would appear on a Time cover again on 25 May 1953, during the campaign for that year's election, with an extensive biography. The election campaign remains unmatched in verbal aggression and fanaticism in Italy's history on both sides. The election
2175-563: The Christian student movement. He was very much inspired by the Rerum novarum encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. In 1904 he took an active part in student demonstrations in favour of an Italian language university. Imprisoned with other protesters during the inauguration of the Italian faculty of law in Innsbruck , he was released after twenty days. In 1905, De Gasperi obtained
2250-690: The Cold War era confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States. After the Soviet-orchestrated February 1948 Communist coup in Czechoslovakia , the US became alarmed about Soviet intentions and feared that, if the left-wing coalition were to win the elections, the Soviet-funded PCI would draw Italy into the Soviet Union's sphere of influence. In the United States, a campaign was launched to prevent
2325-627: The European idea and European peace. The 1954–1955 academic year at the College of Europe was named in his honour. In 2024, a 515-page revisionist account of De Gasperi by Mark Gilbert , "Italy Reborn; from Fascism to Democracy" , was published by Allen Lane . On 14 June 1922, De Gasperi married Francesca Romani (30 August 1894 – 20 August 1998) and had four daughters, Maria Romana, Lucia, Cecilia and Paola. In Florestano Vancini 's film The Assassination of Matteotti (1973), De Gasperi
1953 Italian general election - Misplaced Pages Continue
2400-570: The Fascists over constitutional changes to the powers of the executive and to the election system (the Acerbo Law ), and to Fascist violence against the constitutional parties, culminating in the murder of Giacomo Matteotti . The PPI split, and De Gasperi became secretary of the remaining anti-Fascist group in May 1924. In November 1926, in a climate of overt violence and intimidation by the Fascists,
2475-529: The German Church was correct in preferring Nazism to Bolshevism. During World War II , he organized the establishment of the first (and at the time, illegal) Christian Democracy (DC) party, drawing upon the ideology of the PPI. In January 1943, he published "Ideas for Reconstruction" (Italian: Idee per la Ricostruzione ), which amounted to a program for the party. He became the first general secretary of
2550-480: The Italian people voted to end the monarchy and establish a republic. His eight-year term in office remains a landmark of political longevity for a leader in modern Italian politics. De Gasperi is the fifth longest-serving prime minister since the Italian Unification . A devout Catholic, he was one of the founding fathers of the European Union along with fellow Italian Altiero Spinelli . De Gasperi
2625-527: The National Institute for Assistance of the Orphans of Italian Workers and the National Institute for Italian Pensioners were established, providing benefits and services for needy pensioners. On 26 August 1950, the government introduced various regulations covering maternity insurance for all female employees. In 1952, the party overwhelmingly endorsed his authority over the government and over
2700-598: The PCI in the context of the emerging Cold War. The positive results strengthened De Gasperi's reputation in Italy. He also came back with useful information on the incipient change in American foreign policy that would lead to the Cold War and in Italy the break with the PCI and left-wing PSI and their removal from the government in the May 1947 crisis . In May 1947, United States President Harry Truman ordered De Gasperi to create
2775-569: The PPI was dissolved. De Gasperi was arrested in March 1927 and sentenced to four years in prison. The Vatican negotiated his release. A year and a half in prison nearly broke De Gasperi's health. After his release in July 1928, he was unemployed and in serious financial hardship, until in 1929 his ecclesiastical contacts secured him a job as a cataloger in the Vatican Library , where he spent
2850-543: The PSDI and the PLI; under the administration of the first one, the problem of Trieste was closed ceding Koper to Yugoslavia . The parliamentary term was closed by the minority government chaired by Adone Zoli , finishing a legislature which hugely weakened the office of the Prime Minister, held by six different rulers. Alcide De Gasperi Alcide Amedeo Francesco De Gasperi (3 April 1881 – 19 August 1954)
2925-527: The Unemployed was set up with the task of monitoring the state of the labor market and the conditions of the unemployed, while regulations concerning the replacement of the unemployed into the labor market ( collocamento ) were introduced. Provincial offices for Labour and Full Employment were also established, with local sections, which organized waiting lists, training courses, and the allocation of available jobs, amongst other services. Unemployment indemnity
3000-461: The areas of rents and social housing, unemployment insurance and pensions. On 9 January 1946, the government reorganised the health insurance system for sharecroppers, tenant farmers and agricultural workers, with a flat-rate daily indemnity of Lit.28 for women and Lit.60 for men (i.e. 3% and 7% of the average gross industrial wage for 1947) for a maximum of 180 days a year and free medical and hospital assistance provided through INAM. On 19 April 1946
3075-433: The artificial landslide to Christian Democracy. The Holy See actively supported Christian Democracy, declaring that it would be a mortal sin for a Catholic to vote for the PCI and excommunicating all its supporters. In practice, however, many Communists remained religious: Emilia was known to be an area where people were both religious and communists. Giovannino Guareschi wrote his novels about Don Camillo describing
1953 Italian general election - Misplaced Pages Continue
3150-570: The elections, the Soviet-funded Italian Communist Party (PCI) would draw Italy into the Soviet Union's sphere of influence. The Christian Democrat political campaign said that, in Communist countries , "children send parents to jail", "children are owned by the state", "people eat their own children", and assured voters that disaster would strike Italy if the left were to take power. Another slogan was, "In
3225-410: The final result, especially the short-lived National Democratic Alliance . The leading party, Christian Democracy, did not repeat the result of five years earlier, which had been obtained under special conditions linked to the Cold War , and lost a lot of votes to the right, including resurgent fascist politicians particularly in Southern Italy . Technically, the government won the election, winning
3300-401: The foreign news correspondent for The New York Times , Anne O'Hare McCormick , "De Gasperi's policy is patience. He seems to be feeling his way among the explosive problems he has to deal with, but perhaps this wary mine-detecting method is the stabilizing force that holds the country in balance." The 1953 Italian general election was characterised by changes in the electoral law. Even if
3375-451: The general structure remained uncorrupted, the government introduced a majority bonus system of two thirds of seats in the Chamber for the coalition which would obtain at-large the absolute majority of votes. The change was strongly opposed by the opposition parties, as well as the DC's smaller coalition partners, who had no realistic chance of success under this system. The new law was called
3450-529: The government introduced a superbonus of two-thirds of seats in the House for the coalition which would obtain at-large the absolute majority of votes. The change was strongly opposed by the opposition parties as well as DC's smaller coalition partners, who had no realistic chance of success under this system. The new law was called the Scam Law by its detractors, including some dissidents of minor government parties who founded special opposition groups to deny
3525-411: The government reorganised the health insurance system for industrial employees, with a daily sickness indemnity equal to 50% of earnings, for a maximum of 180 days a year, a flat-rate maternity indemnity equal to a lump sum of Lit.1000 for 120 days (1% of average gross for industrial wage in 1947), a funeral allowance and free medical, hospital, and pharmaceutical assistance through INAM. On 31 October 1947
3600-586: The government won the election, winning a clear working majority of seats in both houses. But frustration with the failure to win a supermajority caused significant tensions in the leading coalition. De Gasperi was forced to resign by the Parliament on 2 August: he consequently retired and died twelve months later. The legislature continued with weak governments, with minor parties refusing institutional responsibilities. Giuseppe Pella rose to power, but fell after only five months, following heated disputes about
3675-548: The iron pots of political forces that faced in the Cold War, Senate cracked as earthenware pot." In the 1950s, Italy became a founding member of the NATO alliance (1949), a member of the United Nations (1955) and an ally of the United States, which helped to revive the Italian economy through the Marshall Plan . In the same years, Italy also became a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community (1952) and of
3750-634: The main representatives of DC in the National Liberation Committee . During the government led by Ivanoe Bonomi , De Gasperi was appointed minister without portfolio and, in Ferruccio Parri 's cabinet, he became minister of foreign affairs . From 1945 to 1953, he was the prime minister of eight successive DC-led governments. His eight-year rule remains a landmark of political longevity for one leader in modern Italian politics. During his successive governments, Italy became
3825-434: The national vote, coming just a few thousand votes short of the threshold for a two-thirds majority; the election resulted in an ordinary proportional distribution of the seats. Minor dissident parties resulted determinant for the final result, especially the short-lived National Democratic Alliance . DC, the leading party, did not repeat the result of five years before, which had been obtained under special conditions linked to
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#17327911931323900-595: The new party in 1944. De Gasperi was the undisputed head of the Christian Democrats, the party that dominated Parliament for decades. Although his control of the DC appeared almost complete, he had to carefully balance different factions and interests, especially with regards to relations with the Vatican, social reform, and foreign policy. When Southern Italy was liberated by the Allies , he became one of
3975-503: The next fourteen years until the collapse of Fascism in July 1943. During the 1930s, De Gasperi wrote a regular international column for the review L'Illustrazione Vaticana in which he depicted the chief political battle as one between communism and Christianity. In 1934, he rejoiced in the defeat of the Austrian Social Democrats , whom he condemned for "de-Christianizing" the country, and in 1937 he declared that
4050-441: The party. However, it was also the start of his decline. He came under increasing criticism from the emerging left wing in the party. Their main accusations were that he was too cautious in social and economic reform, that he stifled debate and that he subordinated the party to the interests of government. The 1953 general election was characterised by changes in the electoral law. Even if the general structure remained uncorrupted,
4125-593: The rural areas in South, Center, and North-East Italy, whereas the industrial North-West had more left-leaning support because of the larger working class. An interesting exception were the "red regions" ( Emilia Romagna , Tuscany , and Umbria ) where the Italian Communist Party has historically had a wide support. This is considered a consequence of the particular sharecropping ("mezzadria") farming contracts used in these regions. The Holy See actively supported Christian Democracy, judging it would be
4200-489: The seats. Minor dissident parties determined the final result, especially the short-lived National Democratic Alliance . The leading party Christian Democracy did not repeat the extraordinary result of five years earlier, which had been obtained under special conditions linked to the Cold War , and lost a lot of votes to the right , including resurgent fascist politicians particularly in Southern Italy. Technically,
4275-496: The secession of a social-democratic faction led by Giuseppe Saragat, which contested the election with the concurrent list of Socialist Unity . The PCI had difficulties in restraining its more militant members, who, in the period immediately after the war, had engaged in violent acts of reprisals. The areas affected by the violence (the so-called "Red Triangle" of Emilia , or parts of Liguria around Genoa and Savona, for instance) had previously seen episodes of brutality committed by
4350-408: The secrecy of the polling booth, God sees you – Stalin doesn't." The Christian Democrats won a resounding victory with 48.5% of the vote (their best result ever) and large majorities in both the Chamber of Deputies and Senate. The Communists received only half of the votes they had in 1946. Although Alcide De Gasperi could have formed an exclusively Christian Democratic government, he instead formed
4425-657: The state", "people eat their own children", and assured voters that disaster would strike Italy if the Left were to take power. Another slogan was, "In the secrecy of the polling booth, God sees you – Stalin doesn't." The PCI were de facto leading the Popular Democratic Front, and had effectively marginalized the PSI, which eventually suffered because of this in these elections, in terms of parliamentary seats and political power. The Socialists also had been hurt by
4500-513: The status of the Free Territory of Trieste which Pella was claiming. Amintore Fanfani 's succeeding first ministry failed to receive a vote of confidence in Parliament, whilst Mario Scelba and Antonio Segni followed with more traditional centrist coalitions supported by Social Democrats and Liberals: under the administration of Scelba, the problem of Trieste was settled by ceding Koper/Capodistria to Yugoslavia . The parliamentary term
4575-442: The status of the Free Territory of Trieste which Pella was claiming. Amintore Fanfani 's succeeding first ministry failed to receive a vote of confidence in Parliament, whilst Mario Scelba and Antonio Segni followed with more traditional centrist coalitions supported by Social democrats and Liberals: under the administration of Scelba, the problem of Trieste was settled by ceding Koper to Yugoslavia . The parliamentary term
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#17327911931324650-594: The stock of economic housing by means of construction or purchase of economic accommodation. The law also established a special housing fund (INA-Casa) within the National Institute for Insurance ( Istituto Nazionale delle Assicurazioni , or INA). Moreover, on 29 July 1947 the government established a Fund For Social Solidarity within INPS in order to pay graduated supplementary allowances to all pensions, compensating for inflation. A law of 29 April 1949 introduced new provisions for unemployment insurance and labor policy. A Central Commission for Work Training and Assistance for
4725-423: The terms of the pending Allied peace treaty with Italy and secured financial and economic aid through the European Recovery Program (Marshall Plan) – which was opposed by the Communists. In June 1946, a constitutional referendum to decide whether Italy would remain a monarchy or become a republic resulted in 54% of the vote favouring a republic. De Gasperi served as provisional head of state from 12 June 1946 until
4800-470: The time, in disagreement with other politicians like Cesare Battisti , he did not seek unification with Italy. In 1911, he became a member of Parliament for the Popular Political Union of Trentino (UPPT) in the Austrian Reichsrat , a post he held for six years. At the beginning of World War I he was politically neutral, sympathizing with the ultimately unsuccessful efforts of Pope Benedict XV and Karl I of Austria to obtain an honorable peace and stop
4875-414: The unemployed were also introduced, along with a Fund for Professional Training of Workers. On 29 April 1949, a law was approved that introduced new provisions for unemployment insurance and labor policy. A Central Commission for Work Training and Assistance for the Unemployed was established with the task of monitoring the state of the labor market and the conditions of the unemployed. On 23 March 1948,
4950-446: The war. Ultimately, he sided with Italy. In 1919, he was among of the founders of the Italian People's Party (PPI), with Luigi Sturzo . He served as a deputy in the Italian Parliament from 1921 to 1924, a period marked by the rise of Fascism . He initially supported the participation of the PPI in Benito Mussolini 's first government in October 1922. As Mussolini's hold on the Italian government grew stronger, he soon diverged with
5025-435: Was an Italian politician and statesman who founded the Christian Democracy party and served as prime minister of Italy in eight successive coalition governments from 1945 to 1953. De Gasperi was the last prime minister of the Kingdom of Italy , serving under both Victor Emmanuel III and Umberto II . He was also the first prime minister of the Italian Republic , and also briefly served as provisional head of state after
5100-436: Was between two competing visions of the future of Italian society. On the one hand, a Roman Catholic, conservative and capitalist Italy, represented by the governing Christian Democrats of De Gasperi; on the other, a secular, revolutionary and socialist society, represented by the Popular Democratic Front. The Christian Democrat campaign claimed that in Communist countries "children send parents to jail", "children are owned by
5175-414: Was born in 1881 in Pieve Tesino in Tyrol , now part of the Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige , which at that time belonged to Austria-Hungary . His father was a local police officer of limited financial means. From 1896 De Gasperi was active in the Social Christian movement. In 1900 he joined the Faculty of Literature and Philosophy in Vienna , where he played an important role in the inception of
5250-426: Was elected president of the forerunner of the European Parliament , the Community's Common Assembly . Although eventually transformed into the current project of the European Union, De Gasperi helped to develop the idea of a common European defence policy . In 1952, he received the Karlspreis (International Charlemagne Prize of the City of Aachen), an award by the German city of Aachen to people who contributed to
5325-413: Was hugely opposed by the opposition parties as well as the smaller Christian Democracy 's coalition partners, which had no realistic chances of success. The new law was called "scam law" by its detractors, including some dissidents of minor government parties who founded special opposition groups to deny the artificial landslide to Christian Democracy. Its parliamentarian exam had a disruptive effect: "Among
5400-479: Was increased to Lit. 200 per day (approximately 17% of the average gross industrial wage for 1949) and its duration was extended from 120 to 180 days. Unemployment insurance was extended to agricultural workers, and a special unemployment benefit ( sussidio straordinario di disoccupazione ) was introduced, paid under exceptional circumstances; flat-rate benefit with ad hoc determined level for 90 to 180 days. Vocational training and professional qualification programmes for
5475-517: Was lost to Yugoslavia and the free territory of Trieste was divided between the two states. One of his most striking achievements in foreign policy was the Gruber-De Gasperi Agreement with Austria in September 1946, that established his home region, South Tyrol , as an autonomous region . De Gasperi enjoyed considerable support in the US, where he was considered able to oppose the rising tide of communism – in particular
5550-528: Was seen out by the minority government chaired by Adone Zoli , finishing a legislature which hugely weakened the office of the Prime Minister, held by six different leaders. In 1954, De Gasperi also had to give up the leadership of the party, when Amintore Fanfani was appointed new Secretary of the Christian Democracy in June. On 19 August 1954, De Gasperi died in Sella di Valsugana , in his beloved Trentino. It
5625-479: Was viewed as a media "triumph", prompting positive comments by a wide section of the American press. During his meetings in the United States, De Gasperi managed to secure a financially modest but politically significant US$ 100 million Eximbank loan to Italy. According to De Gasperi, public opinion would view the loan as a vote of confidence in the Italian Government and strengthen his position versus
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