Pino Rauti
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Giuseppe Umberto Rauti (born in Cardinale near Catanzaro, 1926) has been a leading figure on the Italian far right for many years.
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[edit] Early years
Having joined the Italian army as a seventeen year old, Rauti was captured by the British in 1945 and again by the French following his escape from custody. He returned to Italy in 1946 and joined the Italian Social Movement (MSI), becoming associated with Julius Evola and Giorgio Almirante.
Rauti became disillusioned with the MSI, particularly after the party supported the presidency bid of Giovanni Gronchi and the premiership of Giuseppe Pella, and so he split in 1956 to form his own think tank, the Ordine Nuovo, which lasted until 1969, when he returned to the MSI.
[edit] Leadership of MSI
Rauti was called to trial in 1972 in Treviso for his alleged involvement in a number of terrorist attacks, although he was acquitted of involvement and his position within the MSI was strengthened as a result of his vindication.
Upon Giorgio Almirante's retirement from the MSI leadership in 1987, Rauti put himself forward as a candidate, but lost out to Gianfranco Fini by 727 ballots to 608. However a very poor showing in the municipal elections in Rome in 1989 saw Fini removed and in early 1990, and Rauti was elected as secretary of the MSI. However further local election disasters followed and Rauti was gone by the following year, with Fini again taking charge.
[edit] Fiamma Tricolore
Rauti remained a hard-line critic of Fini's leadership until 1995 when Fini declared the dissolution of the MSI and the foundation, in its place, of the Alleanza Nazionale. Seeing this a break from the fascist heritage which he felt was central to the MSI, Rauti led a group of militants to break away and form the Fiamma Tricolore, which he saw as continuing the path of fascism.
[edit] Retirement and comeback
Advancing years have since saw Rauti step down as party leader and largely retire from politics, handing over leadership of the Fiamma Tricolore to Luca Romagnoli. However Rauti has since led a split from the group and is now the leader of his own minor group, the Social Idea Movement.
