Partido Auténtico

Authentic Party
Partido Auténtico
President (s) Ramón Grau
(1933–1948)
Carlos Prío Socarrás
(1948–1959)
Founded February 8, 1934 (1934-02-08)
Dissolved June 2, 1953 (1953-06-02)
Preceded by Cuban Revolutionary Party
(Not legal predecessor)
Headquarters Havana, Cuba
Youth wing Juventud Auténtica
Ideology Cuban nationalism
National syndicalism
Social corporatism
Political position Third Position
Colors              Blue, red, white
(Cuba National colours)
Slogan "Cuba for the Cubans"

The Cuban Revolutionary Party – Authentic (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Cubano – Auténtico, PRC-A), commonly named Authentic Party (Spanish: Partido Auténtico, PA), was a political party in Cuba most active between 1933 and 1952. Although the Partido Auténtico had significant influence during this period, they eventually became unpopular and, despite significant reforms, their administrations led to Fulgencio Batista's return to power.

History

The Partido Auténtico had its origins in the nationalist and anti-liberal revolution of 1933. It was constituted on February 1934 by many of the same individuals that had brought about the downfall of Gerardo Machado in the previous year to defend the changes that the Revolution of 1933 had brought about.[1]

In the Constitutional Assembly elections in 1939 the party was part of the victorious Opposition Front, and emerged as the largest party in the Assembly. The 1940 constitution was heavily influenced by the nationalist and socialist ideas that was at the heart of the party's program.

Although the party also won the most seats in the House of Representatives following the 1940 general elections, their candidate Ramón Grau, lost the presidential elections. In the mid-term elections in 1942 they finished third, winning only 10 seats.[2] Grau went on to win the 1944 elections, which saw the party win the most seats in the House election. They were also victorious in the 1946 mid-term elections, winning 30 of the 66 seats.

For the 1948 elections the party formed an alliance with the Republican Party, helping Carlos Prío Socarrás win the presidential election, also winning both the House and Senate elections. A different alliance with the Democratic Party and the Liberal Party was formed for the 1950 mid-term elections, which was again victorious. However, they lost the 1954 elections to Fulgencio Batista's National Progressive Coalition.

Ideology

The Partido Auténtico was the most nationalistic of the major parties that existed between the 1933 and 1959 revolution. It had as its theme "Cuba para los cubanos" (Cuba for Cubans).

The Partido Auténtico's electoral program contained socialist and corporatist elements. For instance, while in power, the Auténticos supported numerous efforts to strengthen the power of the labor unions, which were some of the party's biggest supporters. Moreover, some of its members supported the management of the economy through tripartite commissions consisting of businessmen, labor leaders and government bureaucrats as well as a second chamber (River Plate) that was composed of labor and business interest groups.

Notable members

Electoral results

House of Representatives
Election year # of
overall votes		 % of
overall vote		 # of
overall seats won		 +/– Leader
1936 unknown (#1) unknown
90 / 162
–
Ramón Grau
1939 225,223 (#1) 20.7
18 / 76
Decrease 72
Ramón Grau
1940 unknown (#1) unknown
34 / 162
Increase 14
Ramón Grau
1942 unknown (#3) unknown
10 / 57
Decrease 24
Ramón Grau
1944 unknown (#3) unknown
19 / 70
Increase 9
Félix Lancís Sánchez
1946 unknown (#1) unknown
30 / 66
Increase 11
Raúl López del Castillo
1948 unknown (#1) unknown
29 / 70
Decrease 1
Manuel Antonio de Varona
1950 unknown (#1) unknown
42 / 66
Increase 13
Manuel Antonio de Varona

References

  1. ↑ Suchlicki, Jaime Cuba: from Columbus and Castro and Beyond
  2. ↑ Nohlen, D (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p211 ISBN 978-0-19-928357-6
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