Spain’s Transition to Democracy & Autonomy
Political Reform in Spain
Political Reform: A segment of Franco’s successors, known as the “immobile,” resisted change, resorting to police repression or the actions of paramilitary groups. However, the “reformers” pushed for a transition within the existing legal framework. On June 30, 1976, Arias Navarro was compelled to resign. Adolfo Suarez, who aligned with the Crown’s objectives, replaced him. Suarez initiated a new political approach, establishing contacts with the opposition. He also introduced the Political Reform Bill (LRP), aiming to establish democracy as the state’s political structure. The bill proposed transforming the existing courts into a Congress of Deputies and a Senate elected by universal suffrage. He also announced future democratic elections with the participation of political parties. This marked the beginning of dismantling the dictatorship. The law’s progress effectively isolated the “bunker” (Franco’s hardline supporters). Key factors enabling this were: not holding those involved in the dictatorship accountable and maintaining the illegality of the communist left. When the government called a referendum to approve the LRP, the opposition campaigned for abstention. Participation through the LRP strengthened the political parties’ actions at the expense of unitary organizations and popular movements.
Democratic Elections
There was a gradual legalization of political parties and unions, which provoked ultra-violent actions. Terrorist activities by groups like ETA and GRAPO created tension. However, the legitimacy of future elections and democracy required the participation of all political forces. The main challenge was legalizing the Communist Party (PCE), which the “bunker” strongly opposed. Eventually, the PCE was legalized. Elections were announced, with Suarez’s Democratic Center Union (UCD), the right-wing Francoist Popular Alliance (AP) led by Fraga, the PSOE led by Felipe González, and the PCE led by Santiago Carrillo participating. The June 15 elections resulted in a victory for the UCD.
The Path to Regional Autonomy
Historic Autonomy: The path to autonomy involved two distinct phases. The first was the pre-autonomic phase, granting provisional autonomy to regions. The second phase involved regulating the constitution and procedures, definitively establishing the nature of autonomy. Regions negotiated transfers through parliamentary assemblies, shaping the new state territorial organization. Manuel Clavero Arévalo was the key government figure responsible for this process. Catalonia was the first to receive pre-autonomy. Joseph Taradillas played a crucial role, and in 1977, the Generalitat of Catalonia was restored, with Joseph Tarradellas as its president. The Basque case presented unique challenges, including ETA, the PNV, and the issue of Navarra. Basque pre-autonomy materialized in the Basque General Council in 1978. The third case was Galicia, which urgently achieved pre-autonomy with the creation of a provisional Galician Government.
Statutes of Autonomy
The constitution allowed all regions to become autonomous, while maintaining the provincial division. The process was faster via Article 151, granting direct access to historical nationalities (Galicia, Catalonia, Basque Country). Andalusia also chose to establish its autonomy through Article 151 via a referendum. The remaining autonomous communities, except Navarre, followed Article 143. The legal embodiment of political autonomy was achieved through the adoption of Statutes of Autonomy. The first Statute of Autonomy enacted was that of Catalonia. This entire process significantly impacted the central state.