Spanish Democratic Transition After Franco

The Transition to Democracy in Spain

The phrase “transition” is used to refer to the period between the death of Franco in November 1975 and the establishment and consolidation of liberal democracy in Spain. The most surprising feature of the Transition was that it was done using the institutions Franco had created to perpetuate the Regime.

The Succession

In 1947, Franco issued the Succession Law. Spain was proclaimed a monarchy in which the King, after swearing the Fundamental Laws, could appoint his successor. In 1969, Juan Carlos was appointed. When Franco died in 1975, Juan Carlos was crowned King, and Arias Navarro became Prime Minister.

By 1975, it was clear that the regime couldn't go on unchanged. Spain was the only country in Europe that was not a parliamentary democracy, and this prevented Spain from becoming a member of the European Economic Community.

Political Changes Spain Needed

• The still illegal political parties wanted a break with Francoism and to set up a democratic regime from below. Protests from workers, students, nationalists, and intellectuals claimed amnesty for political prisoners, legalization of political parties and trade unions, the dismantling of the Francoist Institutions and legal framework, and the summoning of free elections.
• The Francoist old guard would not accept any reform and wanted “continuismo”. This was held by most of the Army officers, that specially feared the breaking of the unity of the State and legalization of the Communist party.
• Part of the Francoists were in favor of some kind of political reform, as they were aware of the growing opposition to the regime. They thought the regime couldn't survive unless a certain degree of freedom and democracy was introduced.

Arias Navarro’s Government (1975-July 1976)

Juan Carlos confirmed Arias Navarro’s continuation in office as prime minister, disappointing those who were hoping for liberal reforms. Hopes and expectations aroused by the long-awaited death of Franco were frustrated in the initial months of the monarchy, and a wave of demonstrations, industrial strikes, and terrorist activity challenged the country’s stability. The Government responded with repressive measures to restore law and order. Constant demonstrations were followed by brutal repression (Gasteiz, March 1976: 5 dead and thousands of wounded in demonstrations).

Adolfo Suarez’s Government

Arias Navarro could not cope with the growing unrest, and the King dismissed him. The King chose A. Suarez as prime minister in July 1976. Both worked out the strategy for a smooth transition from within the regime, and the democratization process was controlled from above.

The Law of Political Reform

The first steps were the legalization of political parties and an amnesty. But the most important moment was the proposal of the Law of Political Reform (1976). It granted sovereignty to the people, fundamental individual rights, and declared the right to make laws in the Cortes, which were to be elected through universal suffrage.