Partito Repubblicano Italiano (PRI)

Italian political party, founded in 1895 in Milan on principles such as a lay state, local autonomy, and social reforms. With the advent of Fascism, members worked mainly abroad, founding the Mazzini Society in the USA. After the War, the party was re-formed by Ferruccio Parri and Ugo La Malfa, attracting many former members of the Partito d'Azione (Action Party), and was moderately successful at the 1946 elections. At first, under the leadership of Randolfo Pacciardi, it was in favour of working with the DC (Christian Democracy), but later on moved closer to the Socialists. It was part of the government from 1962 to 1991, under the leadership first of Ugo La Malfa, then Giovanni Spadolini and Giorgio La Malfa. In 1991 it moved to the opposition benches.