ABSTRACT
The appointment of Zanardelli as Prime Minister in February 1901 brought into power those who had sympathised with the parliamentary obstructors in 1899–1900. This relieved the tension and transformed the political atmosphere. Zanardelli at once proclaimed his devotion to ‘the principles of liberty’ and his determination to defend both the letter and the spirit of the constitution. His parliamentary position, however, was precarious. The radicals declined his invitation to accept office, though their more moderate leaders were severely tempted; the obstacle was their demand for cuts in military expenditure which Zanardelli, bound by a contrary undertaking to the King, could not concede. Neither the conservative majority nor the Extreme Left were prepared for the moment to do more than tolerate the new government. Its dominant personality was Giolitti. After seven years’ exclusion from office, he had so far reestablished his position that no one but he could fill the Ministry of Interior. 1 He at once put into effect the policy he had advocated while in opposition and instructed prefects that the state must in future remain neutral in labour disputes.
