The Spanish Transition to Democracy: From Franco to the EEC
Franco died in November 1975 and immediately began to produce highly significant fact that, within two years, allow Spain to celebrate the first democratic elections since the Second Republic. Don Juan Carlos I was chosen by the leader to succeed him, and November 22 sworn in as King of Spain, carrying out the reforms the country needed to become a democratic state. We can distinguish two governments at this stage: between 1975 and 1977 pre-democratic governments (Arias Navarro, Adolfo Suárez), and between 1977 and 1982 democratic governments (Adolfo Suarez and Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo). The transition from dictatorship to democratic system was complicated by the effect of the economic crisis of ’73, the opposition and power sectors Franco addicts, social protests, claims of political parties and the continuing terrorist presence. The king and the prime minister, Suarez, had a shared leadership with other political and union leaders, making it possible to hold democratic elections, the adoption of the constitution, the signing of the Moncloa Pacts and the institution of the Autonomous State . The failure of the coup of February 1981 hastened the victory of the Socialist Party and the beginning of a series of changes and reforms that led to Spain’s entry into the EEC.
During the Arias Navarro government, power was quickly overwhelmed by the protests by citizens demanding all kinds of events: demonstrations, conferences, public statements, freedom, amnesty for political prisoners and autonomy. Despite being a convinced Franco, Arias Navarro proposed some limited political reforms, freedom of press, recognition of the right of assembly and association and the reform of the courts, but within the channels of the Movement. Two days after the death of Franco, Juan Carlos I was proclaimed king. His first speech as head of state before the courts was very cautious and did, above all, an appeal for harmony and a statement of democratic will, reconciliation, tolerance, freedom and recognition of regional peculiarities. The proclamation of Juan Carlos I brought a pardon for political prisoners.
In 1976 there was great social unrest, with strikes that hit many factories, utilities and communications. In Catalonia and the Basque country hundreds of thousands of citizens were mobilized in favor of regional autonomy, while still remaining in Spanish prisons hundred political prisoners, mostly Basque nationalists, with various excuses and different legal terms, would be placed in freedom. Moreover, ETA continued its attacks against the forces of public order, which caused the right-wing reactions to the government demanding tough. As they were not yet regulated the rights of assembly and demonstration, there were continued clashes between police and protesters . One of the most serious took place in Victoria-Gasteiz with the shooting deaths of five workers at a demonstration or clash on Mount Montejurra
Navarre, between liberal and reactionary Carlist that left another killed by the extreme right . The opposition (Spanish Democratic Board and Platform of Democratic Convergence
) Were unified in March 1976 in Democratic Coordination, also known as Platajunta, whose program emphasized the request of a general amnesty for political prisoners of the regime, the legalization of political parties and unions banned by the dictatorship, the defense of freedoms and free elections.
In July 1976 the king forced the resignation of Arias Navarro and gave the most decisive step on the path to democracy by appointing a prime minister Franco young politician named Adolfo Suarez.
Apparently the King noticed him because he was a man of his generation experienced and methane in the single party state as in Catholic circles and the media, having been at the forefront of RTVE. All circumstances that made constitutes your acceptance without too many reservations from the most conservative sectors of the Franco regime but not incapacitated for the new mission, given his reformist attitude and openness to dialogue. With Adolfo Suarez immediately noticed greater political tolerance.
The Government came to authorize demonstrations as a million people demanding the restoration of autonomy for Catalonia in the acts of the dyad.
Established contacts with Felipe
Suárez González, the PSOE leader still illegal and even Santiago Carrillo, the main leader of the Communist Party and Workers’ Committees to prepare the reform association. Following the resignation of General de Santiago ultraconservative, Deputy Prime Minister, Suarez joined the government of General Gutierrez Mellado, a liberal military would play a key role in reforming the armed forces. In September 1976 the country introduced the draft on TV Law for Political Reform, designed by Torcuato Fernandez Miranda, who should change the existing political system and regulate the desired call for elections. Both Suarez and Fernandez Miranda, in his capacity as President of the Parliament, acted very wisely to get the courts uphold a law that would result in immediate dissolution final. A large majority approved it on November 18, 1976. Thus, “the legally authorized Franco transition to democracy.” On December 15, the law was finally adopted by the people in a referendum that included a 77% participation to be a 94% affirmative votes and only 2.6% (the Franco pure and simple) negative. The opposition campaigned for abstention, despite breaking his thesis against the political reform, hardly found followers among the Spanish.
In 1977 the extreme right continued its provocations in January killing a group of labor lawyers in the PCE. The adoption of the Political Reform Act raised two immediate objectives: the restoration of freedom and call for democratic elections.
The government needed to legalize political parties, and the decree-law regulates the manner in which these could be legalized to participate in elections. The most important legal trouble he faced the president was the legalization of the PCE, but the expressions of revulsion and support provided Suarez legalize it in the spring. The first democratic elections since 1936 were held inJune 1977. Voted almost 80% of the electorate. The coalition government of the Democratic Centre Union (UCD) formed by an amalgam of personalities and center parties, social democrats, liberals and Democrats, around Adolfo Suarez gets the win followed by the PSOE, led by Felipe Gonzalez. On October 25, 1977 were signed by the government and representatives of political parties in the Moncloa Pacts.
These three-way agreements, government, business, parties and unions predicted to reduce inflation and undertake the tax reform, Social Security and public companies.
Drafting a new constitution is the central task of the courts arising from the elections held on June 15, 1977. For the first time, this was done under the agreement between the parties, except the PNV, and was approved by referendum on December 6, 1978. On 27 December, the King swore to the Constitution in a joint session of Congress of Deputies and the Senate. Spain was going to be a parliamentary monarchy with a fully democratic system. Sets the non-denominational state, a very broad statement of rights and freedoms, separation of powers, the army is subject to the civil power, abolishing the death penalty, recognizes the right to autonomy of municipalities and regions, as well as officers of Castilian Spanish and other languages in their respective regions.
In 1979 new elections are held, with a new victory for UCD. That same year the Statute of the workers. The administrations of President Suárez faced serious problems, until they knew or I can not change or reconstruct the situation that occurred and resigned on January 29, 1981. On 23 February this year, a group of civil guards under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Tejero stormed the Congress of Deputies. Likewise, other general and Milans del Bosch and Navy at the same time promoted the coup. With the crisis in UCD, Calvo Sotelo was appointed Chairman of the government. One of the most controversial topics discussed was the integration of Spain into NATO, which was finally achieved. The disintegration of the UCD completed between 1921 and 1982. Suarez himself formed in August 1982 the Democratic and Social Centre. Calvo Sotelo was no party and no support, so I was forced to dissolve the courts and call elections for October 28, which were won by the PSOE and Felipe Gonzalez became president of the government.