User blog:JonathanMarkoff/Ruler of Italy

Throughout its history, Italy has had its form of government changed several times. For most of its history, the most common head of state titles have been King and President, while the head of government has most often used the title of Prime Minister. There have been occasional ambiguities and exceptions. Harry Turtledove has made even more changes to Italy's governing style in his fiction.

The Gladiator
In the home timeline, the Italy's parliamentary republic, established in the 1940s, remained in effect, more than 150 years later. In 2097, a Prime Minister was in office, and was frequently criticized in the press.

In an alternate where communism won the Cold War in the 20th century, the Italian People's Republic ruled with an iron hand, although not a terribly efficient one. In 2097, the General Secretary of the Communist Party was the de facto ruler of Italy, and anyone who objected to his rule did not dare say so.

In the Presence of Mine Enemies
The Kingdom of Italy emerged victorious from the Second World War in the 1940s. While a junior partner in the Axis behind Germany and Japan (In the Presence of Mine Enemies), Italy maintained a respectable colonial empire in Africa into the 21st century. The head of state was the King, who was regarded as a figurehead. In the 1920s, Prime Minister Benito Mussolini became known by the informal title of Duce, which was later adopted formally and was the accepted title for Italy's head of government by 2010.

Known Kings
Umberto III, incumbent in 2010.

Known Duci

 * Mussolini.jpgo Mussolini, led Italy to victory in the Second World War.
 * Nophoto.jpged Duce, incumbent in 2010

Other rulers
As most Harry Turtledove timelines involving Italy have a point of divergence between 1900 and 1946, King Victor Emmanuel III is probably the head of state at the start of most stories. However, the only volume in which he is actually mentioned is Worldwar: In the Balance; his final fate in that timeline is unrevealed, as is the identity of his successor.

Benito Mussolini is the Prime Minister (informally Duce) in Worldwar and The War That Came Early. In the former, his final fate and successor are unrevealed, while the latter has him still in power at the end of the series, although his position is precarious.

Carlo d'Asburgo is referenced contemporarily in "Eyewear." While he was King of Italy at the time, he is referenced as King of Spain, rather than of Italy or any of the other countries this same king ruled.

Historical rulers in non-rulership roles
Napoleon Bonaparte, in OTL, was President of Italy 1802-1805, and King of Italy 1805-1814. In The Two Georges, Bonaparte is referenced as a French soldier; there is no reason to think he ruled any country in that timeline.

Benito Mussolini is referenced in Settling Accounts: Return Engagement as having failed to gain any high office in the Southern Victory timeline.