Spain’s Political Evolution: From Transition to 21st Century
The UCD Government and the 23-F Coup (1979-1982)
After the constitutional consensus, the political situation was marked by various factors, including:
- Problems in tackling the economic crisis and its effects on the hard-hit population.
- A new decentralized state organization.
- Escalating terrorist actions, especially by ETA.
- Unrest and coup threats from ideologically linked military sectors.
In January 1981, Adolfo Suárez presented his resignation as President of the Government due to divisions within his own party, the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD). On February 23, 1981, whilst the vote for the election of Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo as Prime Minister was taking place, a coup attempt occurred. It was led by a Civil Guard named Antonio Tejero, who occupied the Congress of Deputies, while General Milans del Bosch in Valencia ordered the deployment of troops in the city. The firm attitude of the King, ordering constitutional compliance, provoked the surrender of the rebel troops. The coup d’état failed and led to significant political accountability for the parties. Two days later, Calvo Sotelo was inaugurated as President.
The First Socialist Era (1982-1996)
In 1982, the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) came to power with a message of change, social reforms, and an image of restraint. This party was led by Felipe González, who won an absolute majority. They began a vigorous socialist economic policy aimed at overcoming the effects of the crisis and modernizing the country’s economy. Some key measures included:
- Industrial restructuring.
- Privatization of companies like SEAT.
- Allocation of new income to social spending.
In foreign policy, following the referendum of 1985, Spain fully integrated into NATO. The same year, the Accession Treaty to the European Community was signed, which came into force on January 1, 1986. In 1992, socialist management reached its peak with the celebrations of the Olympic Games in Barcelona and the Universal Exhibition in Seville. However, these successes could not hide the deepening crisis, marked by a new economic downturn and corruption scandals that affected some PSOE leaders.
The Popular Party in Power (1996-2004)
For eight years, José María Aznar chaired the government, first with a minority and then with an absolute majority. Favorable economic conditions allowed for a decrease in unemployment and a broad privatization program of public companies. Some important governmental measures included:
- The adoption of the National Hydrological Plan.
- The adoption of the euro in January 2002.
The ecological catastrophe of the Prestige oil spill and the unconditional alliance with the U.S. in invading Iraq led to many popular demonstrations. On March 11, 2004, several simultaneous terrorist attacks occurred in Madrid. This was the most brutal terrorist action in Spain.
The Second Socialist Era (2004-2011)
After the 2004 elections, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero became President of the Government and revalidated the position in 2008. Both mandates were supported by other political parties. Key policies and measures included:
- The withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq; instead, troops were kept in Afghanistan.
- Prioritization of social measures such as the update of the minimum wage, same-sex marriage, the ban on smoking in public places, and the Dependency Law.
- Extension of the level of competence of the autonomous communities and transfers, simultaneously with the reform of some autonomy statutes.