The Democratic Governments in Spain: From 1980s Onwards
The Democratic Governments in Spain: From the 1980s Onwards
The Decomposition of the UCD and the Rise of the PSOE
In the early 1980s, the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) experienced a process of decomposition due to the authority of Adolfo Suárez and the 1981 coup attempt. The 23-F coup was triggered by the resignation of Suárez, terrorist attacks, and insults to the King at the Casa de Juntas de Guernica.
The coup began with the occupation of the Congress of Deputies by Civil Guards under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero, interrupting the investiture of Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo. Jaime Milans del Bosch supported the coup in Valencia, and the Madrid Armored Division took strategic points and RTVE. The Joint Chiefs of Staff met to support the constitutional government and condemned the coup, with a speech by the King. The army surrendered after that, and Milans del Bosch and Tejero were jailed.
These problems led to the final dissolution of the UCD, with its members being distributed between the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), the People’s Alliance (PA) led by Manuel Fraga, and the Democratic and Social Centre (CDS), created by Adolfo Suárez. Calvo-Sotelo called for elections and dissolved parliament.
In the 1982 elections, the PSOE won a landslide victory, leaving the AP as the main opposition party and highlighting the failure of the UCD and CDS. The PSOE would maintain its political hegemony until the 1996 elections.
The PSOE Governments (1982-1996)
The main objective of the PSOE government’s policy was the modernization of Spain. This included extending social security, creating the educational system of the LOGSE, making fiscal reforms, and a series of controversial reforms contrary to the ideas of Francisco Franco, such as the partial decriminalization of abortion, the recognition of conscientious objection, and substitute service.
On the economic front, the government focused on fighting inflation and unemployment. Inflation was curbed in 1985, but unemployment remained at one of the highest levels in Europe, causing the closure of many companies. The discontent of the workers led to the 1988 general strike that paralyzed Spain.
Terrorism and ETA
The terrorist group ETA created many problems by not accepting the constitution or the conditions of Basque autonomy, as it wanted the independence of a larger territory beyond its borders. ETA bombed military targets and civilians (e.g., the Hipercor bombing).
The government created the Antiterrorist Liberation Groups (GAL), which murdered ETA supporters and members. This group was funded by the government and came to light when the perpetrators were tried, greatly damaging the socialist government’s image.
Some agreements were reached with France in 1984 that gave great impetus to the anti-terrorism policy by removing political asylum. The government tried to negotiate with ETA in the so-called “Conversions of Algiers” in 1989, but failed.
Foreign Policy
Regarding foreign policy, the previous UCD government had managed to join NATO despite opposition from the PSOE. Once in power, the PSOE supported Spain’s stay in NATO, submitting it to a referendum in 1986, which resulted in a “yes” vote, disappointing many. Later, the government negotiated a deal to join the European Economic Community (EEC), which allowed Spain’s entry in 1986.
The Decline of the PSOE and the Rise of the PP
The socialist hegemony ended due to scandals in the irregular financing of the party, illegal enrichment of leaders like Luis Roldán, wiretapping of personalities, and the issue of the GAL. This created a political system of tension between the PP and PSOE, and Convergence and Union (CiU) withdrew its support for the PSOE.
In the 1996 elections, the PP won a narrow victory, which became an absolute victory in 2000. José María Aznar became president.
The PP Governments (1996-2004)
Aznar’s economic policy was very effective, based on neo-liberal foundations that reduced government spending and prepared the country to meet the requirements of the EEC to achieve a single currency. This economic boom was accompanied by the worldwide economic boom.
Anti-terrorist Policy
Aznar’s anti-terrorist policy was marked by the crisis in the summer of 1997, in which a PP city councilman was murdered, causing great social opposition to terrorism. The “Lizarra Agreement” in 1998, signed by the main Basque nationalist parties like the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and seeking an end to the conflict based on the Irish model, also stands out. ETA declared an indefinite truce, which it broke later in 2000.
A pact between the PP and PSOE for freedom and against Herri Batasuna (HB) outlawed terrorism, leading to the arrest of numerous ETA members and the dismantling of their funding and communication. It was a success at the police, judicial, and political levels.
Decline of the PP
The electoral rejection that led to the PP’s end came as a result of the Iraq War, the intransigence against nationalism, the National Hydrological Plan Act, the quality of teaching, and the Atocha bombings because of the Iraq War. This decline in popularity led to the victory of the PSOE, led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, in the 2004 elections.
Culture and Attitudes
Spanish culture and attitudes have changed a lot, creating new cultural norms, values, and behaviors aligned with European democratic societies. The birth rate declined after the crisis of 1974-1986, leading to an aging population and changing the concept of family. Spain became a country of immigrants, which has led to tensions and conflicts. Religious practice declined.
Women played an increasing role, holding senior positions and having more members in universities, achieving greater equality. The field of culture flourished in the environment of freedom of expression, with literature experiencing a boom and Nobel prizes awarded to Vicente Aleixandre and Camilo José Cela. Laws were created to protect and promote cultural heritage, with a decentralized approach to the location of cultural and artistic heritage.
Spanish culture became more cosmopolitan, with new trends like graffiti introduced during Madrid’s nightlife. The mass media became more pluralized and diversified, and developing technology influenced all levels of society and behavior.