Latin Axis (World War II)

The Latin Axis was a proposed alliance between European Latin countries during the Second World War. This project was proposed to Italy by Romanian politician Mihai Antonescu, who served as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during World War II, under Ion Antonescu. The alliance would have included Romania, Italy, Vichy France, Spain and Portugal. As a consolidated bloc in a region of German weakness, he hoped that they might become a significant counterweight to the Reich. However, he was unable to secure Italian support, and only succeeded in infuriating the Germans.