Partido Auténtico

The Cuban Revolutionary Party – Authentic (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Cubano – Auténtico, PRC-A), commonly called the 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, it eventually became unpopular and, despite significant reforms, Fulgencio Batista returned to power.

Authentic Party

Partido Auténtico
President (s)Ramón Grau
(1933–1948)
Carlos Prío Socarrás
(1948–1959)
FoundedFebruary 8, 1934 (1934-02-08)
DissolvedJune 2, 1953 (1953-06-02)
Preceded byCuban Revolutionary Party
(Not legal predecessor)
HeadquartersHavana, Cuba
Youth wingJuventud Auténtica
IdeologyCuban nationalism
National syndicalism
Social corporatism
Political positionThird Position
Colors    Blue, red, white
(Cuba National colours)
Slogan"Cuba for the Cubans"

History

The Partido Auténtico had its origins in the nationalist Revolution of 1933. It was made up in February 1934 by many of the same individuals who had brought about the downfall of Gerardo Machado in the previous year to defend the changes caused by the Revolution of 1933.[1]

In the 1939 Constitutional Assembly election the party was part of the victorious Opposition Front, and it emerged as the largest party in the Assembly. The 1940 Constitution of Cuba was heavily influenced by the nationalist ideas at the heart of the party's program.

Although the party also held the most seats in the Chamber of Representatives after the 1940 general election, its candidate, Ramón Grau, lost the presidential election. In the 1942 parliamentary election it finished third, winning only 10 seats.[2] Grau went on to win the presidency at the 1944 general election, which also saw the Partido Auténtico win the most seats in the Chamber. The party also won the 1946 mid-term election with 30 seats.

For the 1948 general election the party formed an alliance with the Republican Party, helping Carlos Prío Socarrás win the presidency, and also winning both the Chamber and Senate. A different alliance with the Democratic Party and the Liberal Party was formed for the 1950 mid-term election, and this alliance too won. However, the Partido Auténtico lost the 1954 general election to Fulgencio Batista's National Progressive Coalition.

Ideology

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

Its electoral program contained corporatist elements. For instance, it supported numerous efforts to strengthen the power of the labor unions, some of the party's biggest supporters. Also, some of its members supported the management of the economy through tripartite commissions with businessmen, labor leaders and government bureaucrats, as well as a second chamber (River Plate) with labor and business 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
72
Ramón Grau
1940 unknown (#1) unknown
34 / 162
14
Ramón Grau
1942 unknown (#3) unknown
10 / 57
24
Ramón Grau
1944 unknown (#3) unknown
19 / 70
9
Félix Lancís Sánchez
1946 unknown (#1) unknown
30 / 66
11
Raúl López del Castillo
1948 unknown (#1) unknown
29 / 70
1
Manuel Antonio de Varona
1950 unknown (#1) unknown
42 / 66
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
  • Azcuy Y Cruz, A (1950) En Defensa Del Autenticismo, La Habana, P Fernandez Y Cia
  • Ameringer, CD (2000) The Cuban Democratic Experience: The Autentico Years 1944-1952, University Press of Florida ISBN 978-0-8130-2667-1
  • de la Fuente, A (2001) A Nation for All: Race, Inequality, and Politics in Twentieth-century Cuba ISBN 978-0-8078-2608-9
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