Career
He was a member of the Chamber of Deputies from 1892 to 1923. In the struggle for ascendancy over the liberals then being waged by reactionary elements, Facta was elevated to the presidency of the Council of Ministers on Feb. 26, 1922, as a compromise appointee, pending reappointment of Giovanni Giolitti, the liberal leader. After submission of the resignation of his ministry on October 22 of the same year, Facta and his colleagues issued a declaration of martial law (stato d'assedio) on the evening of October 27. This was done in the face of the threatened Fascist coup d'état,d'etat, with the expectation of the backing of Victor Emmanuel III. However, the next day the king refused to sign the decree, and the way was opened for the appointment of Benito Mussolini and the "march on Rome." In 1924 Facta, a "passive" supporter of the Fascist regime, was made a "senator for life" by Mussolini for "distinguished services to the State."