History of the Italian Republic through a referendum. In April 1945, the Allies of World War II advanced in the Po plain supported by the Italian resistance movement, and defeated the fascist Italian Social Republic, a puppet state instituted by Nazi Germany and headed by Benito Mussolini. Mussolini was killed by resistance fighters in April 1945. Victor Emmanuel formally abdicated on 9 May 1946; his son became king as Umberto II of Italy. A Constitutional Referendum was held on 2 June 1946. Republicans won, and the monarchy was abolished. The Kingdom of Italy was no more. The House of Savoy, the Italian royal family, was
Parties in the European Council between May and December 2004 council, in accordance with the system of Qualified Majority Voting. – Transitional QMV system with 124 total votes and a qualified majority of 88 (70.97%), in use until 1 November 2004. <br> – Final EU-25 QMV system with 321 total votes and a qualified majority of 232 (72.27%). DIKO's MEP joined the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group in the European Parliament, but the party is not formally attached to any pan-European organization. Parties in the European Council between May and December 2004 On the 1 May 2004 ten new member states joined the European Union. This article