The End of Franco’s Dictatorship: Transition and Uncertainties
The End of the Dictatorship
Following the assassination of Carrero Blanco, a new government, led by Carlos Arias Navarro, was formed. This government signaled an intention to maintain uncompromising positions. Notably, for the first time, there were no members of Opus Dei in the government. Arias Navarro’s primary focus was to maintain public order and suppress the opposition. The concept of ‘asociacionismo’ was discussed as a means to reform the Franco regime, involving the transformation of various political factions within the dictatorship into associations, such as the Union of the Spanish People.
However, the dictatorship continued to exhibit its repressive nature. Ana Navarro enacted an anti-terrorism law that imposed the death penalty for those involved in the killing of police and civil guards. Consequently, five members of ETA were executed, sparking international protests and highlighting the infeasibility of reforming the dictatorship.
Throughout 1975, Franco’s declining health became increasingly apparent. His frequent relapses led to numerous hospital visits, resulting in Don Juan Carlos assuming the role of interim head of state. Franco resumed his powers on the 30th of the month, largely due to concerns within the dictator’s inner circle regarding the Prince’s intentions. In Spain, the anticipation of the dictator’s death was accompanied by both uncertainties and hopes for a change in regime. The rise of the opposition was met with increased repression, culminating in Franco signing death sentences just days before his demise.
On October 15th, the dictator suffered a heart attack, marking the beginning of his final days. On October 30th, anticipating his imminent death, he delegated his powers to Prince Juan Carlos. Finally, on November 20, 1975, the dictator passed away in Madrid’s La Paz hospital. No head of state from European democracies attended the funeral.
Franco’s dictatorship lasted nearly forty years. Its emergence during a crisis of democracy in Europe represented a significant setback for Spanish society. The modernization process that began in the early twentieth century was abruptly halted. Anti-modern, illiberal values were expressed through Franco’s national-Catholicism. The exile and repression of the 1940s had catastrophic consequences for Spanish society. Autarky led to widespread hunger and hardship, and the Spanish economy did not recover to pre-Civil War levels until the mid-1950s. Developmentalism strengthened the dictatorship but also raised societal expectations, leading to increased democratic opposition and social unrest. This ultimately proved to be a dead end for the continuation of the dictatorship, which collapsed as the dictator’s health deteriorated.
With Franco’s death, questions arose about the future of Spain:
- Franco loyalists were distressed by fears of a future without Franco’s protective presence.
- Franco reformers questioned their future prospects.
- The democratic opposition placed their hopes on social mobilization to push the dictatorship into the past and resume the path to democracy.
- Democratic Europe looked forward to the return of democracy in Spain.
- The United States watched the political instability in Spain with concern.
- Juan Carlos I, the newly crowned king, faced the challenge of consolidating the monarchy in Spain, with its continuity depending on the immediate future. Becoming the Spanish king was more of an aspiration than a reality.