Specifically, during the first four years of the new regime under a multiparty coalition government (1922–1925) the Fascists had a generally laissez-faire economic policy under the Finance Minister Alberto De Stefani, a former stalwart leader in the Center Party.[58] Free competition was encouraged and De Stefani initially also reduced taxes, regulations and trade restrictions on the whole.[59] De Stefani reduced government expenditure and balanced the budget. Some