Spain's 1978 Constitution, Governments, Economy and Key History

Spain's 1978 Constitution

The Constitution of 1978 was approved by referendum on 6 December 1978. It establishes Spanish citizenship and regulates the functioning of the State.

Rights and Freedoms

Its state of constitutional guarantee protects the rights and freedoms of citizens. Civil rights regulate the rules and principles of daily life for individuals, while social rights cover citizenship, social security, the environment, and dignified housing.

Principles of the State

Spain is defined as a social, democratic and constitutional state, where national sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people. The form of state is a parliamentary monarchy, and the powers of the State are divided into legislative, executive and judicial.

Governments Since 1979

1. UCD (1979–1982): Governments led by Adolfo Suárez and later Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo.
2. PSOE (1982–1996): Elections of 1982 gave the PSOE an absolute majority, and Felipe González governed for three terms.
3. PP (1996–2004): The Partido Popular government was presided over by José María Aznar.
4. PSOE (2004–2008): Chaired by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

The Spanish Economy

To address the crisis of the 1990s, measures were adopted to make Spanish companies more competitive and to modernize technology. These measures generated a great deal of employment and activated the economy. The sector grew, the euro was introduced, and the personal income tax (IRPF) was reduced by 1.6%.

Opposition to the Dictatorship

The Maquis

The Maquis were guerrilla groups that opposed the Francoist dictatorship.

The Lausanne Manifesto

The Lausanne Manifesto denounced the totalitarian character of the Franco regime. It demanded the legalization of parties and the restoration of a democratic monarchy.

The Blue Division

The Blue Division was a unit of volunteers who fought alongside the Germans in Russia during the Second World War.

The Silent Majority

The Silent Majority was formed by the middle class and workers who lacked political acceptance and wanted civil liberties to change their level of well-being.

The Feminist Section of the Falange

The Feminist Section of the Falange was a group that gained recognition within the regime and attributed importance to the political formation of women.

The Moncloa Pacts

The Moncloa Pacts were accepted by the unions and political parties. They aimed at modernization and a broad flexibilization of public spending.

The State of Autonomies

The constitution established the State of Autonomies, giving territorial units the capacity of self-government.

Social Rights

Social rights comprise a set of faculties and guarantees for citizens, which the State must develop when economic conditions allow, and which lead to the elaboration of social policies.

The Coup d'État of 1981

During the vote of investiture of the President of the Government in the Cortes, the deputies were kidnapped by a group of Civil Guard and military officers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Tejero.