Spain’s Democratic Transition After Franco’s Death
**Spain’s Transition to Democracy: 1975-1982**
1. Introduction
The transition to democracy in Spain began after the death of Francisco Franco in 1975. The events that unfolded peacefully transformed a dictatorial regime into a democratic one. This process culminated in the electoral victory of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) in 1982.
The characteristic feature of most political groups was a desire for consensus, seeking formulas acceptable to the majority, thus ending the dictatorship. However, instead of a complete breakdown of the Francoist dictatorship, there was a reform of it.
2. The Government of Arias Navarro
Following the rules laid down by Franco, on November 22, 1975, Juan Carlos de Borbón swore loyalty to the principles of the National Movement and the Fundamental Laws before the Spanish Cortes. Therefore, initially, it seemed that the new king accepted the continuity of Francoism.
Carlos Arias Navarro, confirmed as Prime Minister, appointed a cabinet with some new ministers, such as Manuel Fraga, with an apparent intention of openness. The months of this government were marked by conflict, with waves of strikes demanding political freedom, which were met with harsh repression.
The opposition coordinated and established minimum common points to restore democracy, leading to the creation of the *Platajunta*, a fusion of the National Democratic Platform and the Democratic Convergence Platform. This agency called for amnesty, freedom of political association, general elections, and a constitutional process.
3. Suárez and Political Reform
Arias Navarro was replaced by Adolfo Suárez, a young former government minister of Falangist origin. This distanced him from the opposition, with whom he initiated a dialogue, but he had opposed Arias’s suppression.
Today, we can say that the transition was made possible by Suárez, who skillfully continued the political reform. His appointment caused some high-ranking military officers to resign, which was exploited to bring in men like General Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado, who played a major role in containing the Army.
Suárez sent his draft Political Reform Act to Parliament and secured its passage in October 1976. This meant replacing the old Francoist Cortes with a new one chosen by universal suffrage to develop a constitutional process and legalize political parties, including the Communist Party of Spain (PCE). The Franco regime began to be replaced from within its own institutions.
On December 15, 1976, a referendum was held with very high turnout, and the political reform received the support of the vast majority of Spaniards. General elections for the Constituent Cortes were called for June 1977.
The legalization of the Communist Party led to rejection from Francoists and the right wing of the military hierarchy, but it demonstrated that Spain wanted to be a fully democratic country.
4. The Constituent Cortes
Before the elections to the Constituent Cortes, right-wing groups created their own parties and electoral coalitions, such as the Union of the Democratic Center (UCD) led by Suárez and the People’s Alliance (PA) led by Fraga.
The election was held with great responsibility. Victory went to the UCD, reflecting a desire for change against the Franco regime. The PSOE, led by Felipe González, came close to the UCD in the number of votes. Nationalist parties demonstrated their power, while the extreme right failed to win any seats.
The Suárez government gained an absolute majority in the new Cortes and faced a difficult period due to political tasks and conflicts. The terrorism of ETA and GRAPO intensified, while right-wing groups continued to act with the clear intention of destabilizing the young democracy.
The economic crisis continued to worsen. Inflation further increased social conflict. Nationalist movements pressured the Central Government. To address this, the Moncloa Pacts were signed in 1977 by all parliamentary leaders. This was an attempt to initiate a new line of policy management covering various topics, including measures to stabilize the economy, tax reform, and healthcare. The Moncloa Pacts represented a political consensus to strengthen the democratic system.
The Cortes delegated the drafting of the constitution to a committee. Following debate in both houses, the Constitution was submitted to a referendum on December 6, 1978, and gained widespread support.
5. Rise and Fall of the Union of the Democratic Center
New elections were called in 1979. The UCD was again the largest party, the PSOE consolidated its position, and the PCE maintained its presence. Radical nationalists increased their votes and even gained a seat, while the far right began to consider other avenues of action.
Earlier that year, the first municipal elections were held, highlighting the success of leftist groups, including the PSOE and the PCE. That year, the Statutes of Autonomy of Catalonia and the Basque Country were approved. In Andalusia, a campaign for full autonomy began, which was approved in 1980.
The economic situation showed a clear deterioration. Inflation increased, accelerating job destruction. Terrorism continued to act, diminishing the sense of security. The extreme right-wing’s conspiracies to cause an involution were often carried out in broad daylight. Within the UCD, significant divisions arose.
All this led Suárez to resign. The UCD designated Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo as its candidate, but he lost the first ballot, necessitating a second.
6. The Coup Attempt of February 23, 1981 (23-F)
On February 23, 1981, during the second ballot, two hundred civil guards, led by Antonio Tejero, known for his involvement in Operation Galaxy, stormed Congress, weapons in hand and shooting. After a brief confrontation with Suárez and Gutiérrez Mellado, Tejero announced that they were all waiting for orders from a military authority, whose name he would not reveal.
Meanwhile, Captain General Jaime Milans del Bosch took tanks to the streets of Valencia and declared a state of war. In Madrid, there was an attempt to take over Spanish Radio and Television. It was later learned that Admiral Juan García Carrés played a major role in the preparation of the coup.
The King’s attitude in defense of the democratic system, managing to control the army, forced the surrender of the assailants. He later made a televised statement assuring that the situation was under control.
Calvo Sotelo was finally elected president and decided to maintain the democratic system.
With the landslide victory of the Socialists in the 1982 elections, a new stage began in Spain.