Luigi Facta

Luigi Facta (November 16 1861 November 5 1930) was an Italian politician. He was the last Prime Minister of Italy before the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini, and thus his government was in power during Mussolini's March on Rome.

Facta was born in Pinerolo, Piedmont, Italy. He entered politics in 1892 when he was elected to the chamber of deputies for Pinerolo, a seat which he held for 30 years. Facta, a member of the Italian Liberal Party, served as undersecretary of the justice and interior departments in the coalition cabinets for much of his time in Parliament. He was also finance minister from 1910 until 1914 and 1919 until 1920. At the outbreak of World War I, Facta supported neutrality for Italy, but then supported the war when Italy entered it. His son was killed in the war, and he said that he was proud to give a son to his country.

Facta was appointed Prime Minister in early 1922. Italy was in political turmoil, and was dealing with Mussolini's fascist insergency. He was deposed in July 1922 for not effectively dealing with the fascists, but noone else was able to form a government, so he was reappointed by the king. When Mussolini and the fascists marched on Rome in October 1922, Facta was slow to react, though the army wanted to crush the insurrection. When Facta was ready to react, the king dismissed him and appointed Mussolini Prime Minister, as his forces were already advancing on Rome. Facta did not openly oppose Mussolini, and he became a senator in 1924. He died in Pinerolo. He is known as a weak leader who did not stand up for his principles, and along with King Victor Emanuel III, is largely blamed for Mussolini's seizure of power.