In contrast to the Führerprinzip government model in Nazi Germany, the Grand Council retained the power to recommend that the King of Italy remove the Prime Minister from office.

Among the 19 votes of no confidence were those of Mussolini's son-in-law Galeazzo Ciano, who had been former minister of foreign affairs, and the influential marshal Emilio De Bono.

The following day King Victor Emmanuel met Mussolini and informed him that General Pietro Badoglio would lead Italy, as Prime Minister.

[2] In September 1943 Mussolini was freed from imprisonment by German commandos and helped to regain power in northern Italy.

However, only five men, including Ciano, De Bono, and Tullio Cianetti, the defendant whose life was spared, were present for the trial.