Spain’s Transition to Democracy: Key Events and Constitution of 1978

Posted on Apr 1, 2025 in History

Spain’s Transition to Democracy and the 1978 Constitution

The first government of the monarchy was chaired by Carlos Arias Navarro. The government began a timid opening to the legalization of political associations, agreed upon in the laws of Franco. The left-wing organizations grouped into two platforms:

Democratic Board

Driven by the PCE, led by Santiago Carrillo.

Platform of Democratic Coordination

Organized around the PSOE, led by Felipe Gonzalez.

(Arias Navarro resigned.) Adolfo Suarez’s Political Reform Law provided for general elections with universal suffrage. The popular vote was held with Francoists and the opposition. The result was ‘yes,’ and the Francoist Cortes were dissolved.

The Constitution of 1978

The main political groups of the Congress (3 from UCD, 1 from PSOE, 1 from PCE, 1 from CDC, and 1 from DAP) were responsible for creating the new Constitution. On October 31, 1978, deputies and senators approved the Constitution. On December 6, 1978, the Hispanic population approved it with an 88% affirmative vote.

The Constitution was the result of consensus: the left renounced the republic, accepted the democratic game, and accepted the right of autonomous existence; nationalists accepted the term ‘Spanish nation’ and nationality change. The GNP did not accept the constitution and proposed abstention. The left-wing abertzale advocated a negative vote.

The Constitution has three parts:

  • Establishment of basic principles, fundamental rights, principles of social policy, and economic rights and guarantees. The most important are:
  • The state is a social democratic, organized Parliamentary Monarchy. Inside, there are historical nationalities (Catalonia, Basque Country, and Galicia).
  • The state ceases to be Catholic and becomes secular.
  • Civil rights are recognized: freedom of association, of assembly, expression, right to privacy, honor, right to divorce, and death penalty abolition.
  • The development of mechanisms and functions of powers (legislative, executive, and judicial), and tax issues, organizations, State, and territorial Constitutional Court. Key provisions include:
  • Limiting the powers of the Crown.
  • The Courts are divided into two chambers: the Senate and Congress.
  • Division of powers.
  • Power to enact reforms.

Recognized:

  • The right of the state to intervene in the economy to expropriate assets and properties.
  • The right to education of citizens.
  • Equality of rights between men and women.
  • Prohibition of discrimination based on sex, religion, or race.
  • Right to decent housing.
  • Right to health and health care.
  • Right to work.
  • Right to freely participate in youth political, social, economic, and cultural life.

Moncloa Pacts

Negotiations to reduce labor protests.

  • It was commonly accepted that wage increases were not higher than inflation.
  • The government prepared for an expansion of social services (schools and public investment).

Socialist Policies

In order to finance social policies, two measures were applied:

  • Industrial restructuring: Affected public enterprises owned by the state, which had huge losses and were not competitive. The sectors most affected were the shipyards, the steel, and mining. The conversion allowed the industry to stabilize and release the state of a significant financial burden (1.5% of GDP).
  • Tax reform: It was the ability of increasing direct taxes and better distribute the proceeds. Part of the proceeds was allocated to social spending and infrastructure investment. Health became a universal benefit. These measures led to a strong social rejection.

Once democracy was restored, the Spanish state was integrated into numerous international bodies such as the Council of Europe, NATO, and the European Economic Community (now EU).

First Free Elections (June 1977)

In June 1977, the first free elections were held. There were different parties:

  • UCD (Unión de Centro Democrático): coalition of fifteen center parties.
  • Popular Alliance: created by Manuel Fraga, a former minister of Franco.
  • PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español).
  • PCE (Partido Comunista de España).
  • PSUC (Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia).
  • PNV (Basque Nationalist Party).
  • EE (Euskadiko Ezkerra).
  • ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia), but not legalized.
  • SSC (Democratic Convergence of Catalonia).
  • UDC (Democratic Union of Catalonia).