The Charter
of Carnaro
(Carta del
Carnaro)
September 8, 1920
The Charter of Carnaro (Carta del
Carnaro in Italian) was the constitution of the Italian Regency of
Carnaro, a short-lived government in
Fiume (Rijeka), proclaimed
by
Gabriele D'Annunzio on September 8,
1920. Following the
Treaty of Rapallo
the regime of
D'Annunzio was ousted by Italian
military forces at Christmas 1920, and by December 31 the Free State of
Fiume had been established. Misleadingly the Charter of Carnaro is
sometimes also referred to as the "Constitution for the free state of
Fiume" even if it has no relation to the Free State.
The constitution combined anarchist,
proto-fascist, and democratic republican ideas.
D'Annunzio is often seen as a
precursor of the ideals and techniques of Italian fascism. His own
explicit political ideals emerged in
Fiume when he coauthored
with national-syndicalist Alceste De Ambris. De Ambris provided the
legal and political framework, to which
D'Annunzio added his skills as a
poet. The charter is notorious for designating "music" to be the
fundamental principle of the state.
SUMMARY
Corporations
The constitution established a corporatist
state, with nine corporations to represent the different sectors of the
economy, where membership was mandatory, plus a tenth corporation
devised by D'Annunzio, to represent the superior individuals. The other
nine were:
- Industrial and Agricultural Workers
- Seafarers
- Employers
- Industrial and Agricultural Technicians
- Private Bureaucrats and Administrators
- Teachers and Students
- Lawyers and Doctors
- Civil Servants
- Co-operative Workers
Executive
The executive power would be vested in
seven ministers (rettori):
- Foreign Affairs
- Treasury
- Education
- Police and Justice
- Defense
- Public Economy
- Labor
Legislature
The legislative power was vested in a
bicameral legislature. Joint sessions of (Arengo del Carnaro),
would be responsible for treaties with foreign powers, amendments to the
constitution, and appointmen of a dictator in times of emergency.
- Council of the Best (Consiglio degli
Ottimi) - Elected by universal suffrage for a 3 year term - 1
councilor per 1000 population Responsible for legislation concerning
civil and criminal justice, police, armed forces, education,
intellectual life and relations between the central government and
communes
- Council of Corporations (Consiglio
dei Provvisori) - 60 members chosen by nine corporations for a 2
year term - Responsible for laws regulating business and commerce, labor
relations, public services, transportation and merchant shipping,
tariffs and trade, public works, medical and legal professions
Judiciary
Judicial power vested in the courts
- Supreme Court, (Corte della Ragione,
literally "Court of Reason")
- Communal Courts, (Buoni Uomini,
literally "Good Men")
- Labour Court (Giudici del Lavoro)
- Civil Court (Giudici Togati,
literally "Judges in toga")
- Criminal Court (Giudici del Maleficio)
Impact
Benito Mussolini was influenced by the
Fascist portions of the constitution, and by D'Annunzio's style of
leadership as a whole. As the Fascist movement came to power in Italy,
D'Annunzio moved towards it, and became close with Mussolini. De Ambris,
however, was a staunch opponent of Fascism, calling the movement "a
filthy pawn."
Full text (English translation):
Outline of a New Constitution for
the Free State of Fiume
Source:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_Carnaro
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