UCD & Popular Party: Spain’s Political Transition
The Union of Democratic Center (UCD)
During Spain’s transition to democracy, the political center was occupied by the Union of Democratic Center (UCD). Initially, it was a small coalition of liberal parties, Social Democrats, and Christian Democrats. It brought together personalities and members of the administration, including Franco’s elite, who aimed to establish a Western-style democratic system in Spain.
The party was poorly designed, acting as a cohesive amalgam of different ideological families trying to influence the spheres of power (ministries) under their control. Its structure was distinctly presidentialist, but the barons were unwilling to grant President Suárez the decision-making power he demanded. This further weakened internal cohesion.
After driving the constitutional process and completing the political transition, winning two elections, the UCD, starting in 1980, plunged into a rapid disintegration process. This was characterized by member leaks, divisions, power struggles, questioning of Suárez’s leadership, and critical questioning of the team. Following Suárez’s resignation in 1981, the party’s crisis deepened. It miserably lost the 1982 elections and dissolved shortly after, following several leadership changes.
The People’s Alliance and the Popular Party
The right-wing political space was occupied by the People’s Alliance (PA), which was re-founded in January 1989 as the Popular Party (PP). It emerged as a conservative party with positions between continuity and reform. Until its revival, it initiated several partnerships and coalitions with smaller parties (Liberals and Democrats) in an attempt to capture the entire political space separating it from the PSOE.
Despite being the second-largest party in the 1982 elections, it failed to establish itself as a real alternative until after 1989. During the 1980s, it experienced a succession of internal struggles, frustrated alliances and coalitions, and leadership crises. These prevented it from articulating and consolidating as a modern political party, resembling more of a cadre party.