Spain’s Transition to Democracy: From Franco to the EU
Spain’s Transition to Democracy (1975-1986)
The Death of Franco and the Dawn of a New Era
On November 20, 1975, the Carlos Arias Navarro government announced the death of Francisco Franco, ending his decades-long dictatorship. This marked the beginning of a peaceful transition to democracy, culminating in the Socialist Party (PSOE) government of 1982.
Two days after Franco’s death, Juan Carlos I was proclaimed king. Initially, King Juan Carlos opted to retain Arias Navarro as the head of government. However, under the guidance of Torcuato Fernández-Miranda, the President of the Cortes and the Council of the Kingdom, the regime began its transformation from a national Catholic dictatorship to a parliamentary system.
The Arias Navarro Government and the Rise of Adolfo Suárez
Recognizing that his continuation in power was hindering the establishment of a true democracy, Arias Navarro eventually resigned. On July 5, 1976, King Juan Carlos appointed Adolfo Suárez, a Francoist bureaucrat, as the new President of the Government.
In September 1976, Suárez presented the Political Reform Act on public television, a crucial step towards democracy. However, the path was not without its challenges. The ETA’s violence intensified as they sought to derail the democratic process. The GRAPO (First of October Anti-Fascist Resistance Groups), an extreme left-wing organization, kidnapped the President of the Council of State and the President of the Supreme Council of Military Justice.
Suárez, seeking to integrate the military into the new political system, undertook institutional reforms. In January 1977, five members of a labor law firm associated with the Communist Party (PCE) were killed by far-right extremists. These events accelerated the legalization of the Communist Party, which Suárez achieved through a decree-law despite opposition from the Supreme Court.
The 1977 Elections and the Suárez Governments
In June 1977, the first democratic elections since 1936 were held. Adolfo Suárez formed the Union of the Democratic Center (UCD), a coalition encompassing centrists, social democrats, liberals, and Christian democrats. The UCD won the elections, with Felipe González’s PSOE coming in second. Suárez formed his second government in July 1977, focusing on institutionalizing the new regime through regional autonomy, restarting negotiations with the European Economic Community, and addressing economic challenges such as inflation, unemployment, and the external deficit.
The Moncloa Pacts and the Constitution of 1978
The global economic crisis of the 1970s hit Spain hard, with the situation worsening from 1975 onwards. In response, the government and political representatives signed the Moncloa Pacts on October 25, 1977, following a significant devaluation of the peseta. The pacts aimed to grant recognition to labor unions, improve the economic model, and foster social peace in preparation for the drafting of a new Constitution.
Despite the ongoing threat of terrorism, political forces worked towards creating a new Constitution, which was approved on December 6, 1978. The Constitution defined Spain as a”social and democratic State of la” and established a parliamentary monarchy with limited powers for the Crown. It guaranteed individual rights, set the voting age at eighteen, abolished the death penalty, and legalized divorce. The Constitution also recognized the historical nationalities and regions of Spain, paving the way for regional autonomy.
The Suárez Government and Regional Autonomy
Following the approval of the Constitution, elections were held in March 1979, with Suárez and the UCD winning again. Suárez negotiated the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country with Carlos Garaikoetxea, the leader of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). The Statute of Catalonia was approved by referendum on October 25, 1979, and the Statute of Autonomy of Galicia was approved shortly after. Article 151 of the Constitution, which allowed for the autonomy of Andalusia, was also approved.
Economic Crisis, Terrorism, and the Resignation of Suárez
The economic crisis continued to impact the living conditions of many Spaniards. Despite the democratic transition and the new Constitution, ETA’s violence persisted, with 65 people killed in attacks in 1979. Rumors of a potential military coup to remove Suárez intensified in early 1981, fueled by dissatisfaction with his handling of regional policy and terrorism. The government underwent three cabinet reshuffles in an attempt to address these challenges.
In the summer of 1981, the government’s plan to re-legalize divorce exacerbated internal tensions within the UCD. On January 29, 1981, a tired and frustrated Suárez announced his resignation as President of the Government on television. Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo was elected as his successor within the UCD.
The 1981 Coup Attempt and the PSOE Victory
On February 23, 1981, a group of Civil Guards led by Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero staged a coup attempt, storming the Congress of Deputies. Jaime Milans del Bosch, Captain General of Valencia, also launched a military uprising. However, the coup failed due to King Juan Carlos’s decisive intervention in defense of democracy.
Following a period of political instability, the Law for the Harmonization of the Autonomy Process (LOAPA) was approved in June 1982. The PSOE, led by Felipe González, won the general elections in October 1982, ushering in a new era of Socialist governance.
The Basque Statute and the Rise of Nationalism
The Statute of Guernica, similar to the one in effect during the Civil War, was approved during the transition. It regulated education, self-financing, and economic matters. Basque nationalism gained momentum in the elections, and the rise in ETA attacks during the campaign led to the PNV being recognized as the sole interlocutor for the government in efforts to reduce terrorist violence. The Statute was passed on October 25, 1979, leading to the formation of regional institutions, including a parliament (legebiltzarra), government (jaurlaritza), and president (lehendakari). The first elections were held on March 9, 1980, and Carlos Garaikoetxea was invested as the first president of the Basque Country.
Social and Cultural Changes
The transition to democracy brought about significant social and cultural changes. Women entered the workforce in increasing numbers, and traditional values were challenged. The influence of the Catholic Church declined. Advances in education and the rise of mass media fostered intellectual engagement and responsibility. The Ministry of Culture was established in 1977 to promote cultural development. The media, particularly the press, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and promoting democratic values. El País, a prominent newspaper associated with democratic ideals, was founded in Madrid in May 1976.
Spain’s Integration into Europe
Franco’s death paved the way for Spain’s integration into Europe. In July 1977, President Suárez re-submitted Spain’s application to join the European Community. The Council of Ministers approved the application, and the Commission granted it a few months later. Negotiations officially began on February 5, 1979, but faced significant obstacles, including concerns about Spain’s regional policy, agricultural potential, and the economic impact of its integration on poorer regions. However, France and Germany supported Spain’s entry. In recognition of Spain’s commitment to democracy and modernization, King Juan Carlos I was awarded the Charlemagne Prize in 1982. Finally, on June 12, 1985, Spain, along with Portugal, signed the treaty of accession to the European Community, becoming a full member in 1986.