Spain’s Modern Political History: UCD to Present Day
The Democratic Governments
Governments of the UCD
After a stage of consensus, the political situation grew tense due to several factors:
- Problems stemming from the economic crisis and its effects on the people.
- Difficult articulation of a decentralized organization of the state.
- Increased terrorist activity by ETA.
- Coup threats and unrest linked to military sectors of Francoism.
In January 1981, Suárez resigned amidst division within his party and the strength of the opposition.
Coup d’État of 23-F
The coup took place on February 23, 1981, during the vote to elect Calvo Sotelo as President. Civil Guard Antonio Tejero held the Congress of Deputies, while in Valencia, Milans del Bosch imposed a curfew and deployed troops. King Juan Carlos’s firm stance in upholding the Constitution eventually led to the surrender of the rebel troops.
The coup failed, causing a popular backlash and a brief period of unity that allowed Calvo-Sotelo to be inaugurated as president.
First Socialist Stage
In 1981, the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) came to power with a message of change, social reforms, and an image of moderation. Led by Felipe González, the party secured an absolute majority in several elections and a simple majority in 1993. The government initiated a strong economic policy to overcome the effects of the crisis and modernize the country, including:
- Industrial Restructuring
- Privatization of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
- Prosecutor Reform
A portion of these revenues was earmarked for social spending and infrastructure construction. In foreign policy, following a referendum in 1985, Spain joined NATO. The same year, it signed the Accession Treaty to the European Community (EC). In 1992, the socialist administration reached its peak with the Olympic Games in Barcelona and the Universal Exposition in Seville. However, these successes could not conceal the crisis:
- The new economic recession
- Corruption scandals affecting some PSOE leaders
- Issues related to the GAL (Grupos Antiterroristas de Liberación)
The Governments of the PP
José María Aznar led the government for the first eight years in the minority and then with an absolute majority. The favorable economic situation during these governments allowed for the reduction of unemployment and a broad program of privatization of state-owned enterprises. Some of the measures included the National Hydrological Plan and the adoption of the euro in 2002.
The Prestige oil spill disaster in 2002 and the unconditional alliance with the U.S. in Iraq provoked popular demonstrations. On March 11, 2004, Madrid suffered terrorist attacks, the cruelest in its history.
Second Socialist Stage
After the 2004 elections, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was appointed President and re-elected in 2008, with a relative majority in both instances. One of the first measures was the withdrawal of troops from Iraq while maintaining a presence in Afghanistan.
Zapatero’s policy prioritized social measures such as updating the minimum wage, legalizing gay marriage, implementing anti-smoking laws in public places, and expanding dependency laws. He also addressed the level of competence of autonomous communities, economic transfers, and reforming some autonomy statutes.