Spain’s Transition to Democracy (1975-1982)
The Monarchy and Reform (1975-1976)
On November 22, 1975, Juan Carlos de Borbón was proclaimed King of Spain under the Act of Succession. Inheriting control over the Francoist state structure—including the army, administration, and law enforcement—the King initiated reforms by engaging with the opposition and accepting reformers within the Franco regime. A general pardon was also granted. However, the ongoing economic crisis led to social unrest and police repression. Arias Navarro, seeking to extend Francoism with minimal changes, faced difficulties and was eventually replaced by Adolfo Suárez.
The Suárez Government and Democratic Reform (1976-1977)
The slow pace of reform led to the creation of the Democratic Coordination in 1976, which aimed to establish the foundations of a new political system. In 1977, the legal dismantling of Francoism began under Suárez, marked by a general amnesty. The Political Reform Act, dismantling Francoist institutions, was approved by the Francoist courts through negotiations with government prosecutors. This act was subsequently ratified by a referendum. The year 1977 also saw the legalization of political parties (excluding the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) and other left-wing republican parties), the dissolution of the Public Order Tribunal (TOP), and the National Movement’s vertical union.
The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) was legalized in 1976, followed by the PSC (Socialists’ Party of Catalonia) in 1977, neither of which questioned the monarchy. Constituent elections were held on June 15, 1977, with parties such as Suárez’s UCD (Union of the Democratic Centre), Fraga’s Popular Alliance, González’s PSOE, Carrillo’s PCE, and Pujol’s Covenant of Catalonia participating.
The Constitution and the Moncloa Pacts (1977-1979)
The constituent period from 1977 to 1979 focused on consensus-building to address the economic crisis (unemployment, inflation, deficit). The Moncloa Pacts, signed on October 25, 1977, aimed to stabilize labor relations by limiting wage increases and implementing an employment plan. Tax reform and the creation of the INEM (National Employment Institute) were also part of the agreement.
On June 16, 1977, the drafting of a democratic constitution began, entrusted to a committee of MPs from all parties. The 1978 Constitution, emphasizing rights and freedoms, a parliamentary monarchy, separation of powers, and a judicial system, was approved by parliament on December 6, 1978, and ratified by referendum on December 8, 1978.
Autonomy and Terrorism (1979-1980)
The organization of the autonomous state in 1979 aimed to address regional nationalisms, particularly in Catalonia and the Basque Country. The Statute of Sau (Catalonia) was restored in 1978 and ratified by the courts, while the Statute of Guernica (Basque Country) was approved in 1978. Referendums were held on October 25, 1979, and the first regional elections took place in 1980. However, the rise of terrorism (ETA, FRAP, GRAPO) posed a threat to the nascent democracy.
Political Instability and the 23-F Coup Attempt (1980-1982)
Despite its victory in the 1979 general elections, the UCD government faced increasing challenges, including the autonomous process, defeats in regional elections, and internal divisions. The 23-F coup attempt on February 23, 1981, led by Antonio Tejero, aimed to impose a shift in Spanish policy. King Juan Carlos’s decisive intervention in support of the constitutional regime thwarted the coup.
Under Calvo Sotelo, the LOAPA (Organic Law for the Harmonization of the Autonomic Process) was introduced in 1981 to address concerns about the extent of autonomy. However, issues such as NATO membership, the economic crisis, and internal tensions within the UCD persisted. The creation of Suárez’s CDS (Democratic and Social Centre) further weakened the UCD, leading to the dissolution of parliament and new elections in 1982, which the PSOE won under Felipe González.