History’s other postwar ‘fascists’
After the defeat of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini in the Second World War, official fascism declined. But a handful of authoritarian leaders used some of its principles to dominate their countries, often for decades. Antonio de Oliveira Salazar Portugal
Ruled: 1932-68 After the violent end of the monarchy and overthrow of an elected government, Salazar became the economic wizard and strongman of republican Portugal, setting up a socialist-corporatist state largely modelled on fascist Italy. During the Second World War, he was close to Mussolini and Franco but remained neutral because of a treaty with Britain. Fiercely anti-communist, he was allowed to join NATO. In spite of economic reforms he left the country still poor and struggling. Francisco Franco Spain
Ruled: 1939-75 Backed by military support from Hitler and Mussolini in the 1930s, Franco created a quasi-fascist military leadership that waged a bloody civil war against the Spanish government. He won the war, heading an authoritarian state with wide police powers. He was labelled the “last fascist dictator” by the West, but later held a referendum that restored the monarchy and allowed limited elections. His liberalization of the economy led to progress and his Falange party retreated from its fascist roots. Juan Peron Argentina
Ruled: 1946-55 and 1973-74 A three-term president who swerved to the left, right and centre, Peron joined a military coup in 1943 after spending two years in Mussolini’s Italy. Like Mussolini, he was backed by unions in his bids for the presidency. Peron brought in sweeping social welfare programs, led an authoritarian regime that repressed political foes, then was ousted by the military. He briefly returned to power in the 1970s after founding the nationalist Peronist movement which has parallels with fascism. George Papadopoulos Greece
Ruled: 1967-73 Papadopoulos was the figurehead of the notorious Greek Colonels who overthrew an unstable democratic government with tanks. He echoed Mussolini in aspiring to past national greatness and brutally repressing his enemies. He was ousted six years later by the military and sentenced to life for treason. From prison, he reportedly called for the formation of Greece’s violently racist Golden Dawn party.