Navarre's Democratic Transition: Autonomy and Political Shifts
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The Democratic Transition in Navarre
In Navarre, the "Transition" was marked by significant conflict, stemming from economic and social changes since the 1960s. This process mirrored the rest of Spain: in the referendum on the Political Reform Law (LRP), support reached 92%. After the first general election (June 1977), the largest parties were UCD and PSOE, which dominated representation in Congress.
The 1978 Constitution recognized the historical rights of the foral territories. Navarre had maintained its administrative and fiscal prerogatives and its Foral regime during the Franco era. The possibility of Navarre joining a Basque Autonomous Community (CAV) of four provinces was supported by Basque nationalists and a sector of the population. However, UCD members, and later the Socialists, distanced themselves from this project. The Constitution included a transitional provision regulating the possible incorporation of Navarre into the CAV, which required a referendum among the inhabitants of Navarre.
However, the foral reform had begun before the adoption of the Constitution, alongside the process of creating pre-autonomous regimes. An agreement between the Provincial Government and the UCD government led to the adoption of a Decree Law in January 1979, creating a Council of 70 members of Parliament. Both Parliament and the Provincial Council would be established through universal suffrage. The seven members of the Provincial Council would be elected through the historical merindades.
In the 1979 general election, three options regarding Navarre's incorporation into the BAC were presented: integration (PNV), delayed integration (PSOE), and non-incorporation (UCD). All three groups agreed on a referendum for consultation among the people of Navarre. Herri Batasuna advocated for immediate incorporation without prior consultation. At the other extreme, a sector of UCD split to form UPN (Unión del Pueblo Navarro), arguing that the Navarra region was not sufficiently defended. The election results favored parties opposed to Navarre's integration into the BAC.
The 1979 Foral Parliament elections resulted in 70 deputies, with only 20 supporting Basque nationalist integration. Following these Provincial Council elections, with a majority for the CDU, negotiations with the government led to the reform of statutory institutions. This culminated in a bill approved by the Provincial Council and later by the General Courts: the Law of Reintegration and Improvement of the Foral Regime (LORAFNA), dated August 16, 1982. This law consolidated the traditional foral framework, adapting it to the Constitution, recognizing Navarre as an Autonomous Community with its own unique identity within Spain. The merindades of Navarre were consolidated into a single constituency. The Provincial Government of Navarre was renamed, and its chairman would be elected by the Provincial Council, composed of 50 representatives.
Political Landscape After the Reform
Between 1983 and 1991, the Autonomous Government was led by the PSN-PSOE for two terms, under the chairmanship of Gabriel Urralburu. In both cases, they were the most voted candidates, and the procedure of automatic designation was followed. Between 1991 and 1995, UPN governed for the first time, under the presidency of Juan Cruz Alli, being the largest party. The term ended with a split within UPN, led by Alli, who created a new party: CDN (Democratic Convergence of Navarre). In 1994, a corruption scandal involving former president Gabriel Urralburu surfaced. Between 1995 and 1996, a coalition government was formed between PSN, CDN, and EA (Eusko Alkartasuna), headed by the Socialist Javier Otano. However, this government was forced to resign due to a new corruption scandal. The largest party (UPN), led by Miguel Sanz, then formed a government, which he presided over from 1996 to 1999. Between 1999 and 2003, UPN formed its third government, again under the chairmanship of Sanz. Finally, between 2003 and 2007, a coalition government between UPN and CDN was formed, also chaired by Miguel Sanz.