| National Falange | |
| Native Name: | Falange Nacional |
| Foundation: | 13 October 1935 |
| Dissolution: | 28 July 1957 |
| Split: | Conservative Party |
| Merged: | Christian Democratic Party |
| Ideology: | Catholic social teaching[1] Progressive Christianity[2] |
| Position: | Centre |
| Country: | Chile |
The National Falange[3] [4] [5] (es|Falange Nacional, FN) was a Chilean Christian political party that existed between 1935 and 1957. It was the basis of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC); still it is customary to use the expressions "Falange" and "Falangista" to refer to members and activities of the Christian Democrats and the same party, respectively.
In 1935 a group of younger social-Christians split from the Conservative Party to form the National Falange. Despite its name this group was largely made up of progressive and reformist[6] Catholics, and bore little resemblance to Spanish Falangism. In its early years it imitated elements of fascist movements with some of its members wearing uniforms and undergoing paramilitary training.[7] With its progressive economic program (creating an alternative to capitalism, "redeeming" the proletariat) it was in open conflict with the Catholic high clergy[8] who accused it of disrespecting the Church's leadership and siding with communists.[9] Despite its aim to be a centrist alternative to the left and the right, and relatively great public attention, it never received more than 4 percent of the votes.[8] Later it supported the administration of Juan Antonio Ríos (1942–46) and in 1957 merged with the Social Christian Conservative Party into the Christian Democratic Party.[10] One of its former members, Eduardo Frei Montalva, became President of Chile in 1964. Other notable members include Radomiro Tomic and Bernardo Leighton.[11]
The following is a list of the presidential candidates supported by the National Falange. (Information gathered from the Archive of Chilean Elections).
Juan Antonio Ríos (won)
Eduardo Cruz-Coke (lost)
Pedro Alfonso (lost)