The Italian People's Party / Italian Popular Party (PPI)
Founded: 18 January 1919
Dissolved: 5 November 1926
Founders: Luigi Sturzo (a Catholic priest)
Major beliefs: Christian Democracy (Roman Catholicism), Anticommunism
Party development until 1922:
The PPI was backed by Pope Benedict XV as the Catholic Church opposed the Italian Socialist Party.
The party garnered support as they believed in a welfare state, women's suffrage, Proportional representation voting and an elected senate.
The Catholic church was also highly influential at the time.
Impact on the political development of Italy:
Due to their popularity, they were highly involved in parliament.
From 1922, the party was divided into those who supported Mussolini (they ended up joining the Fascist Party) and those who did not.