Spain’s Transition to Democracy: 1975-1976
November 22: Juan Carlos I Sworn In as King
On November 22, Juan Carlos I swore before the Courts as the new king. While his speech disappointed those who longed for a message of openness, it launched a very strong message, clearly aligned with political change.
The Monarchy’s Plan for Political Change
In November 1975, the environment of the monarch already had a rough design of what should be the process of political change. The aim was to make changes from within the very legality of the fundamental laws which they had sworn to uphold. This placed those who could collaborate in the process in key positions. A key role was played by the new president of the Parliament and the Council of the Realm, Torcuato Fernández Miranda, the King’s former teacher, who was imposed despite the resignation of the Council of the Kingdom.
Arias Navarro Remains Head of Government
The King chose to keep Arias Navarro as Head of Government to reassure the more immobile sector. However, he won a composition of the government in which, alongside figures like Fraga or Areilza, younger ministers entered who would soon become apparent supporters of political change. This government was characterized by contradictions between the Head of Government and many of its reformist ministers.
Ordinary Law Reform and Bicameral Parliament
The ordinary law reform reached a better outcome. The most important aims of the changes proposed in the Fundamental Laws were setting up a bicameral parliament in which the lower house would be elected by universal suffrage, while the upper house would be nurtured by organic representations.
Early 1976: Labor Unrest and Democratic Opposition
On January 25, 1976, the first democratic municipal elections were held after the Civil War. Days later, illegal CC.OO leaders publicized the “Manifesto of the Hundred”, in which they stressed the political consciousness of the labor movement.
1. The General Strike in Vitoria
Two very serious developments marked the first months of the Monarchy of Juan Carlos I:
The general strike that paralyzed Vitoria. With the rights of assembly, demonstration, and strike still prohibited, unions, also illegal, called for strikes throughout Spain in January. The government’s response was the usual political repression. This accelerated the action of the democratic opposition and unity of action. The Board and the Democratic Convergence Platform merged into the Democratic Coordination, or Platajunta.
2. The Montejurra Incident
The Montejurra events. In Montejurra, Carlism’s sacred mountain, a Via Crucis is celebrated annually. When the procession was about to start from the monastery of Iratxe, a group of rioters attacked the meeting before the impassivity of the Civil Guard, Army, and Police. The democratic opposition accused the government of colluding with the attackers.
Adolfo Suárez Becomes Prime Minister
Also in this year, a new law regulating the right of assembly came into force, and the legal existence of numerous political parties was agreed upon. Following negotiations, Torcuato Fernández Miranda, president of the Parliament and Council of the Kingdom, got the Council of the Realm to include Adolfo Suárez as a candidate in the mandatory list for the election of the Prime Minister. Suárez, who at that time was General Secretary of the Movement, had defended the Francoist Law on Political Associations in Parliament a month before, albeit with some limitations that gave way to political parties. Thus, on July 3, Adolfo Suárez, Secretary General of the Movement, was elected to government.