Key Figures of the Franco Regime and Spanish Transition
Architects of Power: Key Figures of Francoism and the Spanish Transition
Ramón Serrano Suñer (1901–2002)
Elected to the first CEDA government in 1933 and again in 1936. Under Franco, he held the Interior portfolio, a post he combined with the chairmanship of the Political Board of JONS. In his second term, he served first as Minister of the Interior and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was one of the first major architects of the new Francoist state.
Alberto Martín-Artajo (1905–1979)
Held the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1945 to 1957. His management aimed to achieve global acceptance of the Franco regime, presenting a new image as a defender of Catholicism, which helped obscure its earlier links with fascist powers. Key achievements included:
- The Concordat with the Vatican.
- A treaty with the United States.
- Spain joining the United Nations (UN).
Joaquín Ruiz-Giménez (b. 1913)
Served as Ambassador to the Vatican, where he took important steps toward the subsequent signing of the Concordat. In 1951, he was appointed Minister of National Education, where he imposed a more tolerant and liberal educational policy. He later evolved into open opposition to the Franco regime and founded the influential magazine Cuadernos para el Diálogo.
Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco (1903–1973)
Was a professor at the Naval War College in Madrid when the Civil War broke out, joining the rebel army in the North. He combined his military career with senior political roles alongside the dictator. He died in an ETA attack in December 1973. He was considered the most faithful and loyal servant of Franco and a clear example of the regime’s orthodoxy. He was the great protector of the Opus Dei technocrats.
Marcelino Camacho (b. 1918)
He joined the Communist Party at 17 years old. At the beginning of the Civil War, he joined the Republican side. He endured passage through several concentration and labor camps and was arrested on several occasions. He is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished figures in the continuing struggle of thousands of communists against Franco’s dictatorship and the brutal repression they suffered.
Alberto Ullastres (b. 1914)
A member of Opus Dei. From the Ministry of Commerce, he launched the Stabilization Plan and established relations with the European Economic Community (EEC) to broker an agreement in 1970. He was the first Spanish Ambassador to the EEC, the ECSC, and the CEEA. He was later appointed Ombudsman of Banco de Bilbao.
Dionisio Ridruejo (1912–1975)
He was one of the first Falangists who believed in the National Syndicalist revolution. He served in the Blue Division. He began to depart from the regime in 1951 and was exiled. He founded the Social Democratic Union in 1974. An accredited poet, he translated The Gray Notebook. He influenced some of the politics of the Spanish Transition.
José Luis Arrese (1905–1986)
Served as minister three times, holding the portfolios of the National Movement and Housing. He belonged to the Falange and occupied key positions in the political structure. His tenure is noted for:
- Failure to pacify University politics in 1956.
- Attempting to control the institutionalization process of the regime through Falangists.
Laureano López Rodó (1920–2000)
Participated in the development of the Stabilization Plan and the institutionalization of the regime. He was Minister without Portfolio (1965–1973) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (six months). He worked to ensure Prince Juan Carlos was the successor to Franco. He later co-founded Alianza Popular (People’s Alliance) and served as a deputy for that party.
José Antonio Girón de Velasco (1911–1995)
Served as Minister of Labor during the entire period of autarky. He was a representative of the purest Falangism within the Franco regime. He promulgated social and labor regulation laws. He strongly opposed any attempt to liberalize the regime.
Carlos Arias Navarro (1908–1989)
He was the last Prime Minister of the Franco regime and the first of the monarchy during the pre-constitutional stage. He placed all sorts of obstacles to prevent King Juan Carlos from starting the Transition. He was dismissed in 1976. Previously, he had been Mayor of Madrid and Minister of the Interior under the Carrero government.
Juan Vila Reyes (b. 1925)
Obtained a degree in Industrial Textile Engineering. After leaving prison, he continued his business activities. From 1968 until the following year, he served as Vice Chairman of the Barcelona football team Real Club Deportivo Español.