From Franco to Democracy: Spain’s Transformation (1975-1982)
Spain’s Transition to Democracy (1975-1982)
Introduction
The transition from Franco’s authoritarian regime to a democratic system was a peaceful, non-revolutionary process. Some historians believe it began with Carrero Blanco’s assassination in late 1973, while others place its start with Adolfo Suárez’s presidency in 1976. The rise of the leftist PSOE party to power in 1982 marked significant institutional and attitudinal changes.
Political Reform
In 1976, King Juan Carlos replaced Arias Navarro with Adolfo Suárez due to the former’s inability to address pressing issues. Suárez approved and ratified the Law for Political Reform, legalizing all political parties, including the PCE. This move sparked protests from the more conservative factions. Suárez granted amnesty, legalized strikes, established freedom of expression, and abolished compulsory unionism to pave the way for the 1977 Constituent Cortes elections. Political tension rose due to the actions of both right-wing and left-wing terrorist groups (ETA and GRAPO).
The 1978 Constitution
Suárez remained president after his party, the UCD, won the most seats (166 of 350) in the 1977 elections, though his government relied on alliances. The PSOE secured 118 seats, followed by the PCE (20), People’s Alliance (16), Convergence of Catalonia (13), and PNV (8). The 1978 Constitution, adopted by referendum on December 6, drew inspiration from the 1931 Republican Constitution. Due to the King’s strong support for democracy, all political groups accepted the constitutional monarchy. The Constitution recognized Basque claims while asserting Spain’s indivisibility, leading to the PNV’s abstention. Spain was defined as a social and democratic state governed by law, limiting the Crown’s powers and ensuring the exercise of power by the courts. It established a secular state, abolished the death penalty, and paved the way for divorce. It also recognized private property and free markets.
a) Political Power: National popular sovereignty and separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches were established, along with universal suffrage.
b) Bill of Rights: Freedom of expression, assembly, religion, and the right to strike were guaranteed. The right to autonomy was recognized, based on factors such as language and historical rights.
The Moncloa Pacts
The oil crisis created social tensions that threatened the political reform process. To address this, Suárez signed the Moncloa Pacts with employers in 1977, committing to control inflation by reducing expenditures. Inflation decreased, but social tensions resurfaced with the second energy crisis, which was later addressed by the Socialist government.
The End of the Transition
The economic crisis and terrorist activity forced Suárez’s resignation in 1981. He was replaced by Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo. An attempted coup d’état led by Lt. Col. Tejero and supported by Milans del Bosch was thwarted by the King’s intervention in favor of constitutional legality. The PSOE, led by Felipe González, won the 1982 elections with an absolute majority in both chambers.
Transition in the Basque Country (1975-1982)
The transition in the Basque Country culminated in the adoption of the Statute of Guernica on October 25, 1979. Following the 1977 general elections, a Basque Parliamentary Assembly was formed in 1978, establishing the General Basque Council, led by socialist Ramón Rubial and composed of three representatives from each region. Nationalists rejected the 1978 Constitution, resulting in abstention rates of 56% in Gipuzkoa, 55% in Bizkaia, and 40% in Álava. The draft Statute of Guernica was sent to Madrid.
The Statute of Guernica (1979)
A statute of autonomy is a special law that organizes political power in a specific territory and must be approved by the state. The Statute of Guernica established a parliamentary government with a Lehendakari who must receive the legislature’s confidence. The legislature, composed of 75 members, is elected by universal suffrage. Basque nationality was recognized, restoring historical rights and the General Meetings and deputations of each territory. It included Gipuzkoa, Álava, and Bizkaia. Initial powers transferred included Education, Culture, Economics, Administration, and Police (Ertzaintza).
Historical Territories Act (1983)
To regulate institutions in each territory and manage financial powers, the PNV adopted the Historical Territories Act. While the General Meetings theoretically held supreme authority, the Provincial Councils exercised power in practice. The prominent role of Xabier Arzallus in the Provincial Council ended with Carlos Garaikoetxea’s resignation in 1985 and the subsequent founding of Eusko Alkartasuna (EA), separate from the PNV.
The Economic Agreements
Economic agreements, established by Cánovas del Castillo in 1876 and maintained after the Civil War, were in place in Navarre and Álava. Under these agreements, each territory’s Provincial Council sets and collects almost all taxes. A portion of the collected amount is forwarded to the Ministry of Finance of the Basque Government. The Basque Government then provides a quota to the Central Government, calculated periodically by representatives from each Provincial Council, the Basque Government, and the State Administration, and approved by the Cortes.