The Socialist Era: Spain's Democratic Transformation (1982-1996)

Felipe González and the PSOE Government (1982-1996)

In the October 1982 elections, the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) won an absolute majority after a campaign that promised the change the country needed. Felipe González was elected President of the Government and remained in power for four consecutive terms.

• The absolute majority was renewed in the 1986 and 1989 elections.
• In 1993, the PSOE lost its absolute majority and had to seek support from other parties to govern.

Economic Modernization and Industrial Conversion

The new government implemented a broad program of reforms aimed at social change and economic adaptation. Industrial conversion was a crucial process designed to adapt production processes to the requirements of the international market and prepare for entry into the EEC (European Economic Community).

This conversion allowed for financial restructuring and technological adaptation, but it also resulted in a significant reduction of industrial capacity and employment. The resulting closures and high unemployment rates led to major labor disputes, including those at:

• Altos Hornos del Mediterráneo (Sagunto)
• Shipyards in Galicia, Andalusia, and the Basque Country

Social Reforms and European Integration

Economic reforms were accompanied by significant social changes:

• Decriminalization of Abortion: Introduced under certain circumstances.
• Education Reform: Implemented through the University Reform Act (LRU) and the new education law, LOGSE (General Organic Law of the Educational System), which extended free and compulsory schooling to the age of 16.

Accession to the European Economic Community (EEC)

On June 12, 1985, Spain signed the Treaty of Accession to the EEC with the consensus of all major political parties. Spain's formal entry on January 1, 1986, marked a major milestone in recent Spanish history.

Security Challenges and Military Reform

The government simultaneously faced the persistent terrorism of ETA, which caused over one hundred deaths during this period, while undertaking a comprehensive reform of the army to eliminate the threat of military coups.

Labor Relations and the General Strike of 1988

The economic reforms implemented by the first socialist government led to a deterioration of relations between trade unions and the government, as the burden of economic modernization and conversion was primarily borne by the workers.

Strong opposition from the CCOO (Workers' Commissions) to some government measures was joined by the UGT (General Union of Workers) in 1988. This tension culminated in the convening of a General Strike on December 14, 1988, which was highly successful in terms of participation. This was the first time a socialist union, the UGT, had spearheaded a strike against a government of the same political ideology.

Consolidation of the Welfare State (1990-1995)

In response to this serious situation of tension, the government implemented a series of social and labor measures between 1990 and 1995:

• Universal free medical care was established.
• The system of protection against unemployment was strengthened.
• The public pension system was consolidated and secured through the Pact of Toledo.