The
Historical Left was led by the current
Prime Minister of Italy,
Agostino Depretis, who became head of the government and early elections were called. On the other hand, the bloc of the
Historical Right was led by
Marco Minghetti, former prime minister from
Bologna. The election on 5 and 12 November was a
snap one, and it came after MPs from
Tuscany became dissatisfied with the government of Minghetti following its refusal to intervene in the financial problems of
Florence. The government was defeated on a vote on nationalising railways on 18 March 1876 and was forced to resign and Depretis was appointed prime minister. For the first time, the left-wing won an election, taking 414 of the 508 seats, of which 12 were extreme left-wingers. the left-wing government represented the
bourgeoisie of the south of the country and supported low taxation, secularism, a strong foreign policy and public jobs. ==Parties and leaders==