Spain’s Transition to Democracy (1975-1982)
16.1.La transition to democracia.La 1978.Principios Constitution constitutional and institutional development. The state of the autonomies.
This topic covers since the death of Franco (November 1975) until October 1982 (first socialist government), as directed by the universidad.El General Franco dies in Madrid on November 20, 1975. The future of Spain was then unknown. Both Franco and opposition groups lined up for three possible alternatives: the continuity with the Franco regime, Franco’s political reform or the introduction of the democracia.Dos days after the dictator’s death, the successor designated by Franco, Juan Carlos de Borbon, sworn in as King before the Cortes-Franco, and swears allegiance to the Principles of the Movement. His father, Don Juan, did not renounce his dynastic rights until 1977. The king granted a partial amnesty for some political prisoners. But their intentions were unknown. Don Juan Carlos had taken in his person all the powers of Franco. Many Democrats, and many Franco, distrusted él.Lo truth is that the king played a key role in the transition from dictatorship to democracy.
On the other hand, the Spanish were becoming more and more favorable to the establishment of democracy.
Transition, however, was confirmed king fácil.El Arias Navarro as prime minister. Arias was not in favor of carrying out real reforms, and understanding with the monarch did not occur. The king invited Arias Navarro to submit his resignation. This occurs in a climate of economic crisis, because our country was immersed in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis. Inflation was rampant, and the opposition had increased in all frentes.Don Juan Carlos appointed as the new Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez, who had been Secretary of the Movement during the Franco regime. His appointment caused a rejection among both Franco and among Democrats. Still, Suarez formed a reformist government. His draft Political Reform Act was the first important step towards establishing democracy and providing for the establishment of new courts elected by universal suffrage. The bill was presented to the Cortes-Franco, and thanks to the ability of Suarez and the king, the Cortes passed. The law was put to a referendum by the Spanish, who voted massively in favor of sí.Antes of the elections, the Suarez government faced many challenges. The terrorism of ETA and flared GRAPO. ETA had split into two branches: the political-military ETA (which ended up giving up the armed struggle in 1977) and ETA military, which continued its level of attacks throughout the transition.
In addition, the extreme right was attacking the government and the communists. Sonada was the killing of five labor lawyers in Atocha.El government decided to legalize the Law of Political Associations all parties except the Communist Party and others of similar ideology. However, the PCE had not resigned himself to not be present in the general election. Its leader, Santiago Carrillo, returned secretly to Spain. The party changed its ideology, assuming Eurocommunism (rejection of unconditional support of the mandates of the USSR, and waives the proletarian revolution). Finally, Suarez decided to legalize the PCE, provided they accept the monarchy and rejected Republican symbolism. The first elections, fully democratic, were held on June 15, 1977. The electoral process was characterized by the high number of applications submitted. Adolfo Suarez had created the UCD (Unión de Centro Democrático), Manuel Fraga led People’s Alliance (PA), and while accepting democracy, its ideas were close to Franco, the PSOE (led by Felipe González) had resigned his revolutionary rhetoric, and presented itself as a party close to European social democracy, the PCE moderated his speech, the PNV was presented as the continuation of the heritage of Basque nationalism of the era of the Republic, and finally, Jordi Pujol, Catalan led the moderate right.The elections were won by the CDU, leaving the PSOE in second place. Adolfo Suárez was re-elected Prime Minister. A major problem was presented to Suarez was the economic crisis, characterized by high inflation, unemployment and balance of payments deficit. The peseta was devalued 20% against the dollar, and increased exports. In addition, the signing of the Moncloa Pacts. The aim was to establish a consensus on economic policy that ensures social stability while making the constitution.
That policy was based on wage restraint to curb inflation, a profound tax reform, new energy policy, economic policy and that would make mass monetaria.Ante decrease the desire for self-government of Basques and Catalans, the government initiated Suarez pre-autonomous process before the adoption of the Constitution. Suarez chose the formal restoration of the Generalitat, in September 1977 with Taradell as president. It also created the General Basque Council, which should be the pre-autonomous body that once constituted región.Una new democratic Cortes, the representatives decided to develop a constitution.
The great virtue of the 1978 Constitution is that it was agreed between representatives of most political forces. The presentation was made constitutional by members of the UCD, the PCE, the AP, the PSOE and the Catalan nationalist groups. The wording was not easy, and discussions were very intense. Finally, the text was approved by a majority by the Parliament in October 1978 and ratified by popular referendum on December 6, 1978. Of the votes cast, an overwhelming majority for a. There was preliminary title states that “Spain is a social and democratic state of law” and legal principles should be freedom, justice, equality and political pluralism. It states popular sovereignty. Defend the Castilian as the official language of Spain, the rest being co-official languages in the respective regions. The political form of the Spanish State is a parliamentary monarchy, the king is head of state, but has no real power, since his acts are binding and must be refrendados.El Title I is the largest of the Constitution and contains rights, freedoms and duties of the Spanish. Here we list the individual rights as the right to life, physical integrity, freedom of ideology, religion and worship, freedom of expression, education, etc. Furthermore, some social rights such as family protection, to have a decent home, to enjoy the environment, right to work, to protection of health, etc.La Constitution establishes the separation of powers and the powers of the State organizes . Courts consist of two chambers: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. Both are elected by universal suffrage and exercise the legislative power. The government, which exercises executive power, heads the domestic and foreign policy of Spain. The Prime Minister is elected by the legislature, and is controlled by Congress. Judges and magistrates exercising judicial power. Establishing a Constitutional Court whose function is to prevent any violation of the Constitution. It also creates the Defender of Pueblo.El state model is decentralized. Spain is organized territorially into municipalities, provinces and autonomous regions. The Constitution does not say what should be the Autonomous Communities. Furthermore, what powers are exclusive set of the state, and what exclusive Autónomas.Es Communities amending the Constitution may, but for certain items of reform is very rigid.The economic crisis, the scourge of terrorism of ETA and the strong opposition PSOE Adolfo Suárez forced to resign in 1981. On the afternoon of February 23, Congress was assaulted during the vote Calvo Sotelo as the new president. After a televised statement by the king overruling the coup, the deputies (who had been kidnapped in Congress) were released the next day. Finally, Suárez Calvo Sotelo replaced in office (February 1981 – October 1982). During his mandate, Spain entered the OTAN.Cuando leaves the UCD Adolfo Suarez, to create another political party (CDS), Calvo Sotelo decided to convene a new general election, which gave absolute majority to the PSOE led by Felipe Gonzalez.