Spain’s Transition to Democracy After Franco: 1975-1978
The End of Franco’s Regime and the Demand for Change
The political system of General Franco was not maintained after his death. The majority of political forces and people demanded change. However, although the change was inevitable, it had been slow and problematic. Several factors contributed to this:
- The party, democracy, and monarchy. After Franco, Carrero Blanco died, and nobody was required to be King.
- The economic and social development of Spain, much like that of Western Europe, demanded political change.
- External pressure came from the European Community countries, the USA, and the Catholic Church.
- The moderation of the political opposition was crucial.
Three Political Approaches After Franco’s Death
Following Franco’s death, three main political approaches emerged:
- Continuity: Defended by the “bunker,” a radical faction that sought to maintain the Francoist system.
- The opposition split: The opposition was divided on the best path forward.
- Reform: A minority of leading figures of the regime, headed by the King, favored this approach.
The transition from dictatorship to democracy was achieved step-by-step through reform, tolerance, compromise, and reconciliation. The 1978 Constitution established a democratic system in Spain as a parliamentary monarchy.
Key Periods of Spain’s Democratic Transition
The First Government of the Monarchy (November 1975 – July 1976)
On November 22, 1975, King Juan Carlos was crowned King of Spain. In his opening speech to the Cortes, he emphasized speech and reconciliation. He maintained Arias Navarro as President of the Government. The government incorporated some openings, such as Fraga and Areilza. The President of the Government made timid reforms, including the Law of Political Associations, but they were unable to carry out the reforms demanded in the street.
The organized democratic opposition, the Democratic Coordinating Board, was formed by the Democratic Union (PCE) and the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). They requested a provisional government and called for constituent general elections, advocating for a break with the Franco regime.
Popular mobilizations increased, demanding freedom, amnesty, and autonomy, uniting labor disputes. In a case with many deaths, the police repression lasted during the Vitoria general strike of 1976, resulting in five deaths. Interior Minister Fraga exonerated the police with his phrase, “The street is mine.” In June 1976, Arias Navarro resigned, as he did not have the King’s support. Juan Carlos appointed, to everyone’s surprise, Adolfo Suarez, a young politician with extensive experience in the regime’s institutions, having been President of RTVE and Minister of the Movement.
Adolfo Suarez and the Political Reform
Adolfo Suarez was a key figure in the Spanish political transition. He launched a new political style, making contacts with the opposition and taking small decisions, such as a timid amnesty. He later implemented reforms that would lead the Franco regime to democracy.
Suarez’s appointment was welcomed by neither the Francoists nor the radical democratic opposition. His new government, composed of both Francoists and young democrats, sought a peaceful solution and was willing to negotiate with the illegal opposition.
The first step was the preparation of a referendum to demonstrate popular conformity with the Political Reform Act. This act provided for holding general elections by universal suffrage and meant the legalization of political parties. The law was approved by the Francoist Cortes (a form of “harakiri”) after certain guarantees were made, such as not holding collaborators of the dictatorship liable and not legalizing the PCE. On December 15, 1976, the referendum was endorsed by the people, with 77% participation, 94% in favor, and 3% against.
The democratization process faced attempts at boycotts:
- Extreme-right terrorism: Groups like Fuerza Nueva and the Partisans of Christ the King engaged in street riots and terrorist attacks, including the killings of labor lawyers in Atocha.
- Left-wing terrorism: ETA and GRAPO kidnapped and assassinated military personnel and police officers.
1977: The First Democratic Elections
Elections were held on June 15, 1977, with over 150 parties participating.
- Center: The most supported faction. Suarez created an electoral coalition of liberals, Christian Democrats, and Social Democrats called the Union of the Democratic Center (UCD), which won a simple majority.
- Left: Felipe Gonzalez’s PSOE abandoned its federal and republican project and became the second-largest party.
- PCE: Led by Santiago Carrillo, the Communist Party of Spain received fewer votes than expected.
- AP: Fraga’s People’s Alliance, a coalition of groups from the Franco regime, was another significant force.
- FN: New Force was an extreme-right party.
- Nationalists: CIU, Catalan nationalist Convergencia i Unio, included conservatives, liberals, and democrats, led by Jordi Pujol. PNV, led by Arzalluz, represented Basque nationalists.
The UCD emerged victorious. The main mission of the new democratic Cortes was the drafting of the Constitution and combating the severe economic crisis.