ABSTRACT
AFTER the ‘legalitarian’ strike parties and politicians expected a few months respite, to adapt themselves to the new conditions and decide on their tactics for the reassembly of parliament in the autumn, when everything would at last be settled. Giolitti had only intervened in June and saved Facta because he reckoned on getting into power after the recess and holding fresh general elections in the spring; although he meant first to strike a heavy blow at the socialists and Popolari by abolishing proportional representation. This would make it possible to form a coalition government in which the socialists, or at least some of the leaders of the General Confederation of Labour, would be only too glad to take part. His general idea was to carry on with the plan already begun in May 1921, and this time there was a chance of success, thanks to the achievements of the fascists, the new split in the Socialist Party-now well under way-and the possibility of a return to majority elections.
