Spain’s Transition: From Franco’s Final Crisis to Democracy
The Final Crisis of the Franco Regime (1973-1975)
Franco’s Deterioration and Political Uncertainty
In 1973, an 80-year-old Franco, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, faced declining health and unintelligible speech. This physical deterioration created uncertainty and crisis within the regime. The assassination of Admiral Carrero Blanco, Prime Minister and Franco’s right-hand man, in a December 1973 ETA attack further destabilized the regime. In January 1974, Arias Navarro, former Minister of Interior, was appointed the new head of government.
Arias Navarro’s Government and Mounting Challenges
Arias Navarro’s government, supported by Falangists, removed many Opus Dei technicians. Over two years, the government struggled to democratize the regime and resorted to repression against the opposition. Several key problems emerged:
- Economic Crisis (1973): Increased international petroleum prices triggered inflation, industrial decline, and rising unemployment.
- Growing Opposition: Student and worker movements gained momentum. The infamous 1001 Trial saw CCOO leaders sentenced to harsh prison terms (later reduced) for illegal association, but the union remained strong.
- Deteriorating Church Relations: In 1973, the Spanish bishops called for recognizing individual rights, including association, assembly, and expression. Tensions escalated with cries of “Tarancon to the wall” (referring to the Cardinal of Madrid) at Carrero Blanco’s funeral. A year later, the government’s attempt to expel the Bishop of Bilbao for defending Basque rights was thwarted by Cardinal Tarancon’s threat of excommunication, marking a rupture in the State-Church relationship.
- Terrorism and Repression: ETA and FRAP attacks led to casualties among security forces and civilians. The 1975 Law on Prevention of Terrorism intensified penal code regulations. In September 1975, despite international calls for clemency, two ETA and three FRAP members were executed, prompting Western European ambassadors to leave Madrid in protest.
- Military Dissent: The discovery of the Democratic Military Union, a clandestine group advocating for democratization and military reform, highlighted growing dissent within the armed forces.
- Opposition Reorganization: In 1974, the Democratic Board of Spain, formed by various political groups, proposed a break with the Franco regime and the formation of a provisional government. A similar platform, Democratic Convergence, emerged a year later.
- The Sahara Crisis: During Franco’s decline, Morocco’s King Hassan II launched the Green March to occupy the Spanish Sahara. Spain’s ambiguous response, prioritizing a smooth transition to Juan Carlos’s monarchy, led to the Tripartite Agreement. This agreement ceded the Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania, violating Spain’s commitment to a referendum and sparking a lasting conflict.
Franco’s Death and the Dawn of a New Era
On November 20, 1975, Franco died. Juan Carlos was proclaimed King on November 22, initiating a complex transition to democracy.