Gasperi, Alcide de

views updated

Gasperi, Alcide de (1881–1954) Italian statesman, prime minister (1945–53). Gasperi was elected to the Austro-Hungarian parliament in 1911, and in 1921 entered the Italian parliament as a founder of the Italian People's Party. A strong opponent of fascism, he was imprisoned during Mussolini's regime. During World War II, he was active in the resistance and helped to create the Christian Democratic Party. As prime minister, he contributed greatly to Italy's postwar recovery.

More From encyclopedia.com