Introduction

We have to distinguish three stages: the first one from 1960 to 1975 when Franco dies. A second stage that extends until 1978 with the elaboration of the Constitution and the beginning of the democratical process and a last stage that can be considered as a consolidation of this democracy and the development of the different autonomies.

2.2.1.1 Franco’s regime (1960-1975)

We have to talk  about the most typical features of the Franco system so as to understand much better the significance of the changes that happened with the arrival of democracy.
During the 60’s, Spain was living the last period of the dictatorship that had started at the end of the civil war (1939).
- The main features of this regime were:
a) lack of individual and collective freedom
b) prohibition of any political party
c) police and militar repression

It was a centralized structure; everything was subordinated to the idea of the Spanish nation which identified itself with Castillia.

The Spanish union was the base of their policy: the other peninsular languages -- Catalan,Basque and Galician—were left for the domestic scope. Any  sign of nationalistic identity is repressed drastically.
This will prevent the formation of terrorist groups such as ETA(Euskadi ta Askatasuna) in 1959, that can be translated as freedom for the Basque country.

The control of society was carried out through three sectors: the falangist that occupied ministeries and all kind of public posts, the army which was in power and the church that as a change to its support to the regime, imposed its most puritan rules: the civil wedding and the divorce were forbidden.
The most conservative sectors of the country also supported them.

Franco is aware that he will not live forever and plans a militar govern to succeed him, with admiral Carrero Blanco at the head of it. However, this will never happen because Carrero is the victim of a terrorist outrage made by members of ETA.
The new international situation makes him change the image and in this way, an “organic democracy” is structured around the family (with catholic values), the township (the major is appointed directly by the Governor) and the trade union association of employers and employees). For this reason the following laws will be promulgated:
a) Fuero de los Españoles (1945) ( it is allowed to give an opinion and to demonstrate but only in favour of the regime)
b) Ley del Referéndum Nacional: the Head of the State can submit laws to  referendum.
c) Ley de Sucesion: Spain is a kingdom without king. Franco is the Head of State for life. With this law Juan Carlos I is appointed as future king of Spain.
d) Ley de Principios Fundamentales del Movimiento Nacional.

A new stage begins with general Eisenhower’s visit to Madrid in 1959: the end of the international isolation and the North American support to the régime which comes with a series of concessions: the use of the North American bases in Spain which are located in Zaragoza, in Torrejon de Ardoz (Madrid) and in Rota (Cádiz).
In exchange, Spain gets economical help and international support: Spain has been a member of The United Nations since 1955.

Faced with this new situation that brings about an inevitable change in costumes, favoured by the arrival of huge quantities of tourism, the attempts of teaming up through the neighbour groups, trade unions and intelectual circles together with the access to the mass media with the creation of television, force the authoritarian regime to make shy intents known as “political liberalization” because the existing gap between the political regime and the new social mentality make the divergences and conflicts grow steadily and untenable.

The changes needed by the dictatorship  were brought about by Opus Dei (conservative members inside the church), known as the technocrats that try to give a technical solution to their management. They believe that the solution to the problems don’t lie in the political liberalization but in the economical reforms.

These changes become definite in several points:

La Ley de Prensa (1966) promoted by Manuel Fraga (current president of the autonomous comunity of Galicia). It means that censorship is no longer needed. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that freedom of expresion exists since police dossiers are still in fashion, economical fines are imposed and some newspapers are closed down.
The free practice of worship is allowed though the catholic church has still great privileges .
La ley General de Educación (1970) establishes  the schooling to all children till they are 14. From this point, those who want to continue studying will be able to do it in two well different areas: either Professional Training or Baccalaureate. Both leading to University.
La Seguridad Social (1963)  Through it Spanish people will benefit from free medical care prior to the deductions made in the workers’ rolls and to the companies.
La Ley Orgánica del Estado (1967) The figure of the President of the Government is established and it doesn’t fall on the Head of the State.
The appointment of Juan Carlos de Borbon as Franco’s successor with the title of king. (1969)

The opposition to the regime grows up and acts in secrecy or is in the exile, especially in Mexico,where they are welcomed. In 1972, the leaders of CCOO are arrested; this rouses grave confrontations.
The public turmoils increase and terrorist groups such as ETA in the Basque country , FRAP and Grapo are born.

In the 70,s, the relationship between the Church and the State worsens promoted by the Vatican II and by the writings of two bishops: abbot Escarré from Montserrat (Catalonia) and monsignor Añoveros from the Basque country. These writings critizised the lack of freedom and democracy that the franquist regime imposed.

The courtmartial of Burgos (1970) by which 16 members of ETA were sentenced to death had international scope and Franco was pressed from everywhere: the Vatican threatened to excommunicate Franco, who finally compromised.

In 1973, admiral Carrero Blanco, who was the President of the Government and the man who had to secure the continuity of the franquist regime, was killed by ETA.

This same year, an important economical crisis started. It was motivated by a decrease in the production of oil and in 1975, when there was a big opposition in all the country, Franco died and a new stage, which marked by a strong political uncertainty began.

2.2.1.2 The transition to democracy (1975-1978)

These years are especially delicate because apart from being the last years of franquism, we have to add the critical economical situation of the country.

When the king takes over, he swears the principles of the Movement but in his speech he already announces there will be changes.

It is necessary that the country modernizes and that it turns into a democratic society with all what this implies. La Ley de Amnistia in 1978 is passed as a proof of the desire for reconciliation.

The project consists of making a transformation from the legality so as to avoid violence. Carlos Arias Navarro, who was the last of Franco’s ministers, was the Head of the government in substitution for the murdered Carrero Blanco. He represented the most stagnant sector that is why his management was incompatible with the new idea of the country.

The king decides to entrust this mision to Adolfo Suarez – General Secretary of the Movement – a man who had gone unnoticed till then.

First, La Ley de Reforma Política (1976)  is passed by  referendum, which means finishing with the last franquist structures. Voting for this law, to the Spanish people, meant choosing either to continue with franquism, or to break with it, or accept the way designed by Suarez, that is to say the way to the transition.

The opposition groups wanted the break; they promoted the non-participation, but they achieved only a 22% of followers. The opposition, therefore, had to come to an agreement with the government.

El Tribunal de Orden Público (TOP)  was also removed as a previous step to the General Elections (1977) where the right to strike, Trade Union freedom, the legalization of the political parties and the freedom of press, meeting and association was recognized. The participation was very high (79,24%).

Unión de Centro Democrático (UCD), with Adolfo Suárez as the leader, was the most voted party (34%) in these elections. Next was PSOE (28,9%) and thirdly PCE (9,2%).
This victory is interpreted as a wish for moderation, a wish to avoid extremisms.

The nearest option to franquism, Alianza Popular, got the 8% of the votes.

PSOE is then the first group in the opposition and the voters’ decision supports a moderate position.

In 1978, the Constitution, which tries to be integrating, overcoming the drama of the civil war, and valid for any political party in the power, is written. Voting will be secret and by universal suffrage.

Once the Constitution is passed, the different voting processes start so as to shape the new democratic institutions: The Spanish Parliament, the State Government, the Municipal Governmments and the Autonomous Parliaments and Governments.

As main features, we can summon some to show its democratic characteristics of the restablishment of freedoms and rights of all types, individual and collective:

The right to expression, to partnership, to free movement, to inviolability of home address, of equality of all the Spanish people face the law, the right to strike, to education and work. Adult age is established at 18 and torture and capital death are abolished.
Admission of Trade Unions and Employers Associations and the right to collective negotiation.
The sovereign rests with the population through the direct universal suffrage and the political parties.
There is a division of the legislative, executive and judicial powers.

The legislative power has voice though the Spanish Parliament (Cortes Generales) Which is made up by two different Chambers: El Congreso de los Diputados, which are elected in proportion to the population of each province and the Senate with four senators for every province regardless the number of inhabitants it has.

The executive power has made up by the President and the Cabinet, who have to give account to the Congress.

The judicial power is made up by judges and magistrates. It is governed by the General Tribunal Court which is independent from the Government and the Parliament.

The State stands for no religion, although some agreements are signed so as to the Church accepts the new Constitution: The State contributes to the financing of the Church and the subject of religion is introduced in the compulsory education.

The autonomies are established: Those of historical tradition such as Catalonia, The Basque country and Galizia are restored and the rest of the country is also divided in a new territorial organization. It is a question of avoiding the characteristic centralism of the previous stage.
The army, which had previously been the base of the State, was sunmitted to the civil power and it is profesionalized.

2.2.1.3 Consolidation of the democracy and total european integration

After a government period presided by Suárez, the disolution of UCD (the party in the power) takes place and Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo becomes the new President.

In 1979, the first constitutional elections  to choose the members of both the Congress and the Senate are held.
The first municipal elections are also held.

On the 23rd of February in 1981, liutenant-colonel Antonio Tejero takes the Parliament by force and kidnaps the members of the Congress. He hopes to be supported by other militar chiefs but this does not happen completely thanks to the king’s quick and decisive action.

In 1982, the PSOE wins the elections by complete majority, which allows for great changes in social policy such as the divorce and the abortion law, in spite of the difficulties it finds: the unemployment rate is still high despite the structural reforms. The welfare state went into crisis because the means weren’t enough to mantain the public loans which were typical of the advanced societies.

The terrorist groups such as ETA continue going against the armed forces and the civil society in a destabilizing attempt. On the other hand, people in charge of the state organize  a “dirty war” against this terrorism with the GAL (Anti-terrorist groups of Liberation—mercenaries). People in authority get egg on their face over this affair because of their illicit enrichment.

All these affairs make the PSOE lose the 1996 elections. Partido Popular (PP) wins them but without a complete majority, therefore, it is necessary for them to pact with different nationalist parties.

This situation, which is similar to other EC countries, has consolidated throughout these years: there are all the options, from the ecosocialist left represented by IU and IC, to the liberal right represented by PP that is in the power nowadays. We can also find the social democracy of PSOE and the nationalist parties such as CiU and PNV (centre-right) or the radical nationalism of BNG and ERC.

As for the social conflicts, the Trade Unions allow the working-class movement to take part in the social and political life by means of negotiation. There are elections every four years and the majoritary trade unions are UGT and CCOO. The employers organizations group also in sectorial confederations : CEOE and PIMEC-SEFES.

The autonomies we have mentioned above, mean the overcoming of the centralist state of the previous stage. Each of them is ruled by a statue of autonomy and a financial system is created by means of an Interterritorial Compensation Fund so as to compensate those comunities with less resources.

Though, the unemployment and the precariousness of the labour situation next to the political tensions derived from the autonomies and the terrorism make important  tensions emerge, we can say that our country is completely integrated into the democratic societies.