Composition of the Political Directory.
National Alliance: 2 seats
Tradition and Distinction: 1 seat
Young Europe: 1 seat
The Corporativists: 13 seats
Fascist Left: 8 seats
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Nowadays, far from the Mussolini's leadership, the PNF is split and divided into several factions and even Duce Debalti is uncapable or unwilling to crack them down. Some of them track back their origins and roots to the earliest components of Fascism, while other factions were born in following decades. Almost all Fascist groups favour the Republic, and no relevant faction is openly Monarchist. Real and current issues such as economic, foreign, military and defence policies, as well as ethic issues and some philosophical views take the centre of the debate.
More ideological and philosophical questions are also debated, being the PNF an order of fighters and of believers, but the main discussion arenas are the cultural institutions rather than the Grand Council of Fascism or the Party's newspapers or other authorized media.
According to their position compared to the official line expressed by the Duce, factions and areas could be classified as being right-wing factions, if they are more liberal-conservative and pro-capitalism than the Duce and the official line, "centrist factions", if their position are more or less the same, or as being left-wing areas and factions, if their issues are more socially progressive and if they are more in favour of progressive and materialistic ideologies.
Currently, the centre is occupied by Corporativist factions, which detain a large popularity, embodying the core of the Fascist values and enjoying the Duce's support.
The individual currents are named after the Fascio di Combattimento which they arose in or they come from, or after the newspaper or the politician which they refer to. All factions claim of respecting the Doctrine of Fascism and of recognizing it as their own.
Right-wing factions: they are liberal-conservative, pro-US and in favour of liberal Europeans.
- National Alliance (Alleanza Nazionale): Liberal Nationalists. Main leaders are Maurizio Gasparri and Ignazio La Russa, both members of the Political Directory. It is quite spread in northern provinces MVSN.
- Tradition and Distinction (Tradizione e Distinzione): Traditionalists environmentalists, followers of Julius Evola. It is an isolationist faction, focused on environmentalism, monarchism, in favour of laissez-faire and very ethically conservative. It is not "enthusiastic" in supporting the Duce and RSI. Major figureheads are Adriano Romualdi (son of Pino Romualdi, former high-ranking party official and former faction leader) and Marzio Tremaglia. The main intellectual is doubtless Franco "Giorgio" Freda. This faction is widespread among most part of cultural institutions, but is little known out of academies and think tanks. Despite its little size, this faction is highly respected, having one Political Directory member, Marzio Tremaglia. It is to note that Evolian philosphy is spread within majority of the factions: however, the "integral evolians" are a distinct faction.
- Catholic Alliance (Alleanza Cattolica): Catholic Nationalists. It is lead by Antonio Mantovano, chief-editor of the eponymus newspaper, "The Catholic Alliance" ("L'Alleanza Cattolica"). It is not represented into the Political Directory.
The centrist factions are corporativist, conservative, isolationist, pro-Ba'th, hostile to the U.S. and anti-communist factions. The centre is often considered as being the most authentic interpreters of Fascism.
- Young Europe (Giovane Europa): is a "centrist" faction, corporativist, nationalist-European and national-revolutionary. It is ethically moderate and anti-U.S. They are widespread in the youth bodies and organizations, but they have very little diffusion within the adulthood, despite the fact the faction is 40 years old. Currently the leader is Gianni Alemanno, Governor of Rome and member of the Political Directory.
- Fascists' Nationalist Socialist Platform of Italy (Piattaforma Nazionale e Socialista d'Italia dei Fascisti): The Platform consists of Italian national-socialists who are nostalgic for the Hitler's National Socialism, they are pagan and corporativist.
- The Corporativists (I Corporativisti): they are the "big centre". "The Corporativists" faction is the most consistent and widespread; ethically moderate, they are in favour of an active and prominent State role in the economy, they want to move towards enterprises co-management, they want more powers to the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations. The vast majority follows the teachings of Giovanni Gentile and his heirs, but many are also in favor of Ugo Spirito and its wave. In turn, "orthodox" Corporativists are divided into several associations, movements and newspapers. Due to their vastity, they have 13 members of Political Directory, gaining the absolute majority. However, differences between various Corporativist sub-factions are large enough to make them to approach some problems differently. Among the most prominent leaders there are now Giulio Tremonti, Maurizio Sacconi and Renato Brunetta.
- Lictor and Catholic Italy (Italia Littoria e Cattolica): they are catholic fascists, ethically very conservative, and in favour of a progressive decentralization and of the social market economy. The main leader is their Political Directory member, Roberto Fiore, who is also the founder of the "Forza Nuova" magazine.
Leftist factions are somewhat ethically progressive, while for what regards economic proposals they range from a simple "social-democratic" approach, to a co-operative solution, passing through the Proprietary Corporation (or the socialization of the economy) and the brutal "collectivist" option. The leftist fascists are often called "Fascisti-Rossi" (red fascists) and many among them are strongly favourable to an "encounter" between Fascism and marxism. Sungle leftist factions are not represented in their own capacity into the Political Directory: however, the eight Political Directory members who are not part of the right-wing or centrist factions are colletively tasked with representing major instances coming from the Fascist left.
Organization
The primary organs of power in the Fascist Party which is detailed in the party constitution include:
- The Political Secretary, which is the second highest-ranking official within the Party after the Duce and is ranked as a State Minister.
- The Secretariat, the principal administrative mechanism of the PNF, headed by the Political Secretary;
- Grand Council of Fascism , which includes:
- The Political Directory, presently consisting of 25 full members (including the members of the Directory Standing Committee)
- The Directory Standing Committee, which consists of nine members
- The Discipline Inspection Commission, which is on the same level with the Political Directory, charged with rooting out corruption and malfeasance among party cadres.
- The National Republican Guard General Command;
Grand Council of Fascism
The Grand Council of Fascism (Gran Consiglio del Fascismo) is the highest collective authority within the National Fascist Party, as well as part of the national legislature. Its 300 members are selected once every five years by the Duce of the Republic, among the holders of certain offices.
As Party body, the Grand Council proposes to the Duce many of the most powerful people, including the Political Secretary and the members of the Political Directory, Standing Committee, and National Republican Guard General Command. It is to note that the current Grand Council of Fascism is completely different from the original body with the same name: the latter, infact, was disbanded immediately after the Mussolini's death, fearing that the Triumvirate would be excessively controlled and weak. The current Grand Council was re-established by the current Duce of the Republic, as part of his constitutional reforms.
The Grand Council deliberates about the list of Councilors of the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations, about the statutes, laws and policies of the National Fascist Party, about the appointment and removal of the Secretary, the Vice Secretaries, the Administrative Secretary and members of the Political Directory of the National Fascist Party.
The Secretariat of the Grand Council is the working body of the Political Directory and its Standing Committee. Members of the Secretariat are appointed by the Standing Committee and are subject to endorsement by the whole Grand Council. They include the Propaganda Department, the Organization Department, among others.
The Grand Council of Fascism also exercise its authority as the upper house of the national legislature, and is an important body in that it contains the leading figures of the Party, Party's militia, State, and Armed Forces. Full meetings of the Grand Council rarely are arenas in which there are real debates and decisions on party policy. The Grand Council is larger and has a more diverse ideological spectrum than the Political Directory. The Grand Council also advises the government on ordinary politics. It must be heard on all matters of a constitutional nature, among which are included the composition and functioning of the two Houses of Parliament, the powers and prerogatives of the head of government, corporate and union sorting.
It is to note that, in its capacity of a branch of national legislature, the Grand Council is the body with more political connotations than the Chamber of the Fasces and Corporations, which is composed of "economic" and "social" representatives.
Membership
The Grand Coincil of Fascism consists of 300 Councilors (Consiglieri) appointed among Party hierarchy, partly appointed by law and by being appointed to the other offics, partly appointed in their personal capacity. The Political Secretary is, by law, both member and President of the Grand Council of Fascism; also the 110 Federal Secretaries are members by law. The Commandant General, the Deputy Commandant General and the Chief of Staff of National Republican Guard, along with the Commandants of Autonomous Republican Guards, are members of the Grand Council by law; the Deputy Chiefs of Staff could be eligible to the membership.
Members by law are:
- The Political Secretary;
- The Adminastrive Secretary;
- The two Political Vice-Secretaries;
- The Political Secretaries of "colonial" Fascist Parties;
- Members of the Political Directory;
- The 110 Federal Secretaries;
- The President of Association of Fascist Heroes and Victims (Associazione degli Eroi e dei Caduti Fascisti);
- Presidents of: National Institute of Fascist Culture (Istituto Nazionale di Cultura Fascista); National Recreational Club (Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro); Italian National Olympic Committee (Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano); Combatants National Association (Associazione Nazionale Combattenti); National Association of maimed and disabled soldiers (Associazione nazionale mutilati e invalidi di guerra);
- The Commandant General, the Deputy Commandant General and the Chief of Staff of National Republican Guard, along with the Commandants of Autonomous Republican Guards;
- The Chief of General Staff.
Members eligible for the facultative appointment are:
- The Governor of Rome;
- The Government Ministers;
- The Chiefs of Staff of each individual Armed Force;
- The Deputy Secretaries of "colonial" Fascist Parties;
- The Deputy Commandants of of Autonomous Republican Guards;
- The Deputy Federal Secretaries;
- The GNR Officers awarded with high decorations;
- The MVSN Officers awarded with high decorations;
- The PNF Officials awarded with high decorations;
- The military general or flag officers;
- The GNR or MVSN general officers.
Office of General Affairs
The Office of General Affairs (Ufficio Affari Generali) is an office directly under the Grand Council in charge of technical and logistic affairs. The Office of General Affairs is generally in charge of daily affairs of the Grand Council and the Political Directory, though its functions may change basing on circumstances. Although its business is often non-political, its chiefs have close connections with the Party's top leaders.
Political Directory
The Political Directory is a group of 25 people who oversee the National Fascist Party activities. The Political Directory is appointed by the Duce. The agenda for the meetings is controlled by the Political Secretary and decisions are made by consensus within its internal factions, rather than by majority vote. Factions are named after the "Beam Combat" main (often the one in which they arose) or the newspaper or the politician to which they refer to. As factions within the National Fascist Party, all factions agree to abide by the Doctrine of Fascism and, at least in words, recognize it as their own.
Political Secretary
The Political Secretary of the National Fascist Party is the second highest ranking official within the National Fascist Party, a standing member of the Political Directory and head of the Secretariat.
Inspectorate of the National Fascist Party
The Inspectorate of the National Fascist Party is an organization run under the National Fascist Pary charged with rooting out corruption and malfeasance among party cadres. Its current Secretary is Marco Derenelli, who is also a member of the Political Directory.
Investigations and prosecutions of cadres who are suspect of corruption are conducted confidentially in a system which is separate from ordinary law enforcement and courts, which may be subject to influence by local cadre. Suspects are subjected to severe pressure. There is little sympathy by the public for corrupt officials who get caught up in the system.
Secretary of the Inspectorate
Secretary of the Inspectorate is the head of the Inspectorate of the National Fascist Party. The Secretary is a very important political position, serving as one of the top leaders of the National Fascist Party.
National Institute of Fascist Culture
The National Institute of Fascist Culture (Istituto Nazionale di Cultura Fascista) is an entity created in 1925 and is responsible for the spread and development of fascist ideals and culture. The Institute exists as a development structure and stimulation of intellectual energies of the nation, reaping the greatest intellectuals and members of the Italian artistic and cultural programs, by promoting cooperation between them and pushing them to the practical application of their knowledge.
Its official purpose is to promote and coordinate studies on fascism, conserve and disseminate, in Italy and abroad, the ideals, the doctrine of fascism and the culture of Fascist Italy, through courses and lectures, publications, books and to promote the propaganda in this regard. The Institute collaborates with the Ministry of National Education (Ministero dell'Educazione Nazionale) and the Ministry of Popular Culture (Ministero della Cultura Popolare).
The Institute is governed by a board composed of:
- President, appointed by the Duce, after proposal of the Secretary of PNF;
- 4 Deputy Presidents, appointed by the Duce, after proposal of the Secretary of PNF;
- 14 Councilors, appointed by the Secretary of PNF, after proposal of the President.
The organization on the territory
The National Fascist Party is made up of Fighting Fasces, which are framed in Fasces of Combat Federations in the provinces and the Governments of the Empire. At the head of each Fasces of Combat Federations is a Federal Secretary.
Federal Secretary
The Federal Secretary is appointed directly by the Duce on the proposal of Political Secretary. He:
- Implements the directives and executes the orders of the Political Secretary;
- Promotes and monitors the activities of the Fasces of Combat and Associations dependent on Party;
- Controls the organizations of the regime and the partecipation of the Fascists to the charges and positions within the province.
The Federal Secretary also maintains connections with the peripheral organs of the State and the Prefect. In relation to the Regime, he is the Federal Commander of the G.I.L., the President of the Provincial National Recreational Club and of Provincial Radio Agency's Committee. The Federal Secretary is part of the Executive Committee of the Provincial Council of Corporations and of the Committee of the University Agency (Opera Universitaria) in cities where there are universities.
The Secretary convenes and chairs the Federal Directory, calls the reports of the Fascists in the province and members of Associations dependent on the PNF in the province. The Secretary directs and is the responsible the political education for the youth.
The Federal Secretary proposes to the Political Secretary the appointment and dismissal of members of the Federal Directory, including the appointment of Deputy Federal Secretary and Deputy Federal Administrative Secretary. The Secretary also proposes the appointment of provincial hierarchy.
He appoints and dismisses the Federal Inspectors, Secretaries of the Fasces of Combat and components of their Directories. Appoints the Trustees of Fascist Borough Groups and the components of its Consultative Committees, Heads of Sector and Chiefs of Squads. The Secretary has the power to dissolve the Directories and the Consultative Committees and to appoint regent commissioners.
He also promotes and regulates the sport of organizations in relation to the directives marked by CONI.
The Secretary is the P.N.F. in the province in all respects and the leaders of the provincial associations and organizations that depend on the Party are therefore subordinate to him.
Federal Directory
In each Federation is made up of the Federal Directory, which has advisory and executive functions about regulations of the Federal Secretary. Its components are:
- The Deputy Federal Secretary;
- The Deputy Federal Administrative Secretary;
- The Secretary of the Fascist University Group (Gruppo Universitario Fascista);
- The Deputy Federal Commander of the G.I.L. for Young Fascists (Giovani Fascisti);
- The Deputy Federal Commander of the G.I.L. for Avanguardisti and Balilla.
Fasces of Combat
The Fascio of Combat (Fascio di Combattimento) is the most basic Fascist organization. It is organized at the municipal level, and it is the elementary unit of the National Fascist Party, upper echelons being mere groupings of Fighting Fasces. The Fascio of Combat is governed by the Political Secretary of Fascio (Segretario Politico di Fascio di Combattimento), assisted by a Directory. Similarly to the Federal Secretary, he is appointed by the Political Secretary on the proposal of Federal Secretary. The Political Secretary:
- Implements the directives and executes the orders of the Federal Secretary;
- Promotes and monitors the activities of the Fasces of Combat and Associations dependent on Party;
- Controls the partecipation of the Fascists to the charges and positions within the province.
The Political Secretary also maintains connections with the peripheral organs of the State. In relation to the Regime, he appoints the Party's representatives to the Municipal Assistance Agency.
The Political Secretary convenes and chairs the Federal Directory, calls the reports of the Fascists in the municipality and members of Associations dependent on the PNF in the municipality.
The Political Secretary proposes to the Federal Secretary the appointment and dismissal of members of the Fascio's Directory, including the appointment of Deputy Political Secretary and Deputy Political Administrative Secretary. The Secretary also proposes the appointment of municipal hierarchy.
He propoese appointments of the Trustees of Fascist Borough Groups and the components of its Consultative Committees, Heads of Sector and Chiefs of Squads. The Political Secretary has the power to constitute and dissolve the Sectors and Squads.
Directory of the Fascio di Combattimento
The Directory of the Fascio di Combattimento consists of:
- The Deputy Political Secretary;
- The Deputy Administrative Secretary:
- The Deputy Local Commander of the G.I.L. (where appointed, the Political Secretary being the Local Commander)
- The Commanders of the Young Fascists and Avanguardisti and Balilla
In Provincial Capitals, the Directory has three additional members.
Fascist Borough Groups
Fascist Borough Groups are sections of the Fasci di Combattimento in centres with large population; it is governed by the Trustee, dependent on the Political Secretary of the Fascio of Combat.
The Trustee of the Fascist Borough Groups is assisted by a Consultative Committees of five members. The Trustee is tasked to implement the directives and carries out the orders of the Political Secretary of the Fascio of Combat. The Political Secretary of the Fascio of Combat designates a Deputy Trustee and an Administrative Consultant, chosen from among the members of the Group Consultative Committee. The Consultative Committee is made up of the Deputy Trustee, the Administrative Consultant and four other members: it has advisory and executive regulations of the Trustee. The Group is divided into local Fascist Sectors, the Sectors in Squads.
Albanian Fascist Party
The Albanian Fascist Party (Albanian: Partia Fashiste e Shqipërisë — PFSh; Italian: Partito Fascista Albanese — PFA) is the Fascist party which holds nominal power in Albania.
The PFSh is a branch of the Italian National Fascist Party with Benito Mussolini at its head and organized along the same lines and principles, and with its own paramilitary Black Shirts, the Albanian Voluntary Militia (Milicia Shqiptare Vullnetare - Milizia Volontaria Albanese). Enrollment in the PFSh was compared to enrollement in the PNF.
Leadership and organization
The PFSh is headed by a Secretary appointed and dismissed by the Duce, at the proposal the Chief of Government of the Albanian Social Republic, after consultation with the Secretary of the PNF. The Secretary of the PFSh retains the title and functions of Minister Secretary of State, is part of the Albanian Government, of the Grand Council and receives Duce's directives and orders by the Secretary of the PNF. The Secretary of the PNF in Albania is represented by an Inspector of the PNF.
At each provincial capital is established the Federation of Fasces of Combat of PFSh, and, at each municipality, the Fascio of Combat.