Christian Democracy
Democrazia Cristiana |
|
---|---|
Leaders |
Alcide De Gasperi Amintore Fanfani Aldo Moro Mariano Rumor Giulio Andreotti Francesco Cossiga Arnaldo Forlani Benigno Zaccagnini Flaminio Piccoli Ciriaco De Mita Mino Martinazzoli |
Founded | 15 December 1943 |
Dissolved | 16 January 1994 |
Preceded by |
Italian People's Party (not legal predecessor) |
Succeeded by |
Italian People's Party (legal successor) Christian Democratic Centre |
Newspaper | Il Popolo |
Youth wing | Christian Democracy Youth Movement |
Women's wing | Christian Democracy Women Movement |
Membership (1990) | 2,109,670 |
Ideology |
Christian democracy Popularism |
Political position | Centre |
National affiliation |
Centrism (1948–58) Organic Centre-left (1962–76) Historic Compromise (1976–80) Pentapartito(1980–93) |
European affiliation | European People's Party |
International affiliation | Christian Democrat International |
European Parliament group | European People's Party |
Colors | White |
Party flag | |
Christian Democracy (Italian: Democrazia Cristiana, DC) was a Christian democraticpolitical party in Italy.
The DC was founded in 1943 as the ideal successor of the Italian People's Party (1919), which had the same symbol, a crossed shield (scudo crociato). A Catholic-inspired, centrist,catch-all party comprising both right- and left-leaning political factions, the DC played a dominant role in the politics of Italy for 50 years from its inception in 1944 until its final demise in 1994 amid Tangentopoli scandals. The party was nicknamed the White Whale (Balena bianca).
From 1946 until 1994 the DC was the largest party in Parliament, governing in successive coalitions. It originally supported governments based on liberal-conservative political positions, before moving to centre-left coalitions.
The party was succeeded by a string of smaller parties, including the Italian People's Party, the Christian Democratic Centre, the United Christian Democrats, and the still active Union of the Centre. Former Christian Democrats are also spread among other parties, including the centre-right Forza Italia and the New Centre-Right, and the centre-left Democratic Party.