Spain's Transition to Democracy: Political Reform & Elections

Spain's Political Transition: Reform and Elections

Political Reform (1976)

Some heirs of Franco's regime resisted political reform, clinging to the old ways. Despite police brutality and paramilitary actions, reformers pushed the government towards change. Their project involved amending existing laws. On June 30, 1976, Arias Navarro resigned, and Adolfo Suarez, aligned with the crown's vision, took over. Suarez initiated a new style of politics, engaging with the opposition and proposing a bold political reform law.

This reform law aimed to democratize politics by establishing the state as a political organization. It proposed converting the existing courts into a Congress of Deputies and a Senate elected by universal suffrage. Future democratic elections with the participation of all political parties were announced, marking the beginning of the dismantling of the dictatorship.

The reform process isolated the hardliners. Key factors enabling this were the decision not to hold those involved in the dictatorship accountable and the continued illegality of the communist parties. When the government called a referendum to approve the Law for Political Reform (LPR), the opposition campaigned for abstention. Participation in the LPR process empowered political parties at the expense of individual agency and popular mobilizations.

Democratic Elections

There was a gradual legalization of political parties and unions, despite violent actions and increased terrorist activity from groups like ETA. The main challenge was legalizing the Communist Party, which the hardliners strongly opposed. Despite this opposition, the Communist Party was eventually legalized.

Elections were announced for June. Adolfo Suarez led the Democratic Center Union (UCD). Manuel Fraga founded the right-wing Popular Alliance. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), led by Felipe Gonzalez and Alfonso Guerra, positioned itself as a democratic socialist and Marxist opposition. The Communist Party of Spain (PCE), led by Santiago Carrillo and Dolores Ibárruri, remained a significant force on the left. The elections on June 15 resulted in a victory for the UCD.

The Constitution of 1978

Parliamentary forces agreed to develop a consensus-based constitution. The resulting document declared Spain a social and democratic state of law organized as a parliamentary monarchy. The crown's functions were defined, and the army was placed under civil power. The constitution established the non-denominational character of the state, abolished the death penalty, and included a comprehensive chapter on social and economic rights.

The Constitution recognized Castilian (Spanish) as the official language, along with other Spanish languages. This progressive constitution was approved in a public referendum and subsequently enacted.