Blackwell Reference Online

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(1922–84), Italian Communist politician. Having played an active part in the resistance during World War II, Berlinguer was elected to parliament in 1968 and became secretary-general of the PCI (Partito Comunista Italiano) in 1972. A year later he proposed the so-called “historic compromise” with representatives of christian democracy . In exchange for their support on social reform, the PCI agreed to respect the church and discourage labor militancy. Berlinguer's moderate stance saw unparalleled Communist success in elections – in 1976 the PCI won 34.4 percent compared with the 38.7 percent received by the Christian Democrats – but the hostile attitude of the new Polish Pope john paul ii (elected 1978), the traditional anti-leftist sentiments among the Christian Democrats, and the intransigence of some hardline Communists combined to undermine Berlinguer's policy of collaboration. By 1979 the PCI was once again in opposition. Despite Berlinguer's continued advocacy of moderate eurocommunism , the PCI failed to repeat its electoral successes of 1976. ... log in or subscribe to read full text