Spain's Provisional Government and Serrano Regency

As we have seen, the issue of duality of power initially arose between the protagonists of the ruling (military) and the Boards. Although the program of the Boards was more radical than that of the military, they agreed on some points: universal suffrage, freedom of the press, freedom of trade, and even some social demands. Republicans soon split over the issue of the regime.

Formation of the Provisional Government

In early October, the Provisional Government was formed, headed by Serrano, with Prim as second. This government succeeded in dissolving the Boards and began to implement part of the democratic revolutionary program:

• Fiscal reform (elimination of excise tax)
• Creation of the peseta
• New mining legislation
• Introduction of free trade
• Expulsion of the Jesuits
• Extinction of all convents, etc.

The Constitution of 1869

In parallel, a transformation of political life began. Universal male suffrage was introduced, and elections were held for the Constituent Cortes. The majority fell to the monarchist parties committed to the revolution, responsible for drafting the new legal framework: the Constitution of 1869, under the formula of a democratic monarchy.

Features of the 1869 Constitution

The Constitution collected the democratic principles that had encouraged the revolution:

• Widespread recognition of rights
• Separation of powers (the King lost powers, and the figure of the Cortes, which made laws and controlled the government, was prioritized)
• National sovereignty
• Bicameral parliamentary system
• Freedom of religion
• Some decentralization (provincial and municipal)

The Regency of Serrano

Following the drafting of the Constitution, a temporary Regency was established, led by Serrano. However, the essential political responsibility lay with Prim, who served as President of the Government and held the portfolio of War.

Legislative Changes in 1870

During 1870, profound changes were made to the legislation to conform to the new democratic reality designed by the Constitution. New provisions were made regarding:

• The judiciary
• The penal code
• Civil registration
• Civil marriage
• Public policy

On this last point, clearly illegal practices continued to occur (waves of revolts and social movements).

Search for a New Monarch

The most important political issue now was to find a new monarch capable of identifying with the content of the Constitution of 1869. The candidate had to be Catholic, liberal, and exclude any candidate from the Carlist branch, as well as D. Alfonso, son of Isabel II.

Monarch Candidates

Several candidates were considered, but many soon presented problems that led to their rejection:

• Duke of Montpensier: An Orleans, which led to reluctance from Napoleon and represented a conservative Catholic monarchy.
• Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern: Of German origin, which raised reluctance from France.
• Ferdinand of Coburg (Portugal): Had the advantage that he could carry out the Iberian union that some liberal groups favored, but this was also an inconvenience.

Finally, the decision was made in favor of Amadeo, Duke of Aosta, from the House of Savoy, who had been the prime candidate for the progressives.

In 1870 occurred in the Cortes