Spanish transition to democracy: Encyclopedia II - Spanish transition to democracy - The First Government of the Monarchy January-July 1976

Spanish transition to democracy - The First Government of the Monarchy January-July 1976

The first government of Juan Carlos was presided over by Carlos Arias Navarro. The King made this appointment in accordance with the guidelines of the 1966 Ley Orgánica del Estado ("Organic Law of the State"): the Consejo del Reino ("Council of the Kingdom") proposed a list of three candidates, and from among these the King chose Arias Navarro.

The appointment of Arias Navarro did not foretell large political transformations. Nevertheless, the new government included three personalities who, although they had collaborated with the pro-Franco state in the past, were, in 1976, dedicated supporters of the transition toward a democratic state.

José María de Areilza, a member of Don Juan's Privy Council, was given the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, whilst the diplomat Antonio Garrigues y Díaz Cañabate was named Minister of Justice, and Manuel Fraga Iribarne was appointed Minster for Government (Ministro de Gobernación). However, to maintain political balance, the Vice-Chairman for Defense was an unconditionally pro-Franco military man: General Fernando de Santiago.

Two other officials, with time, became very important for political change. Torcuato Fernández Miranda, a university professor from the ranks of the Movimiento was the president of both the Cortes and the Council of the Kingdom. Adolfo Suárez, who also started his career within the Movimiento, held the position of Secretary-General of the Movimiento, with the rank of minister.

The situation confronting the new government was overwhelmingly difficult. Unrest was on the increase, protests for amnesty were frequent, and in the Basque Country tension mounted steadily. ETA continued its attacks and had popular support for many of its actions. A general strike in Vitoria at the beginning of March 1976 lasted for several days. Street protests exploded, and the police responded harshly, resulting in the deaths of three people and a loss of prestige for Minister Fraga, already reputed as heavy-handed before the uprising.

Meanwhile, the opposition impatiently demanded the dismantling of the Francoist regime within a short time period. The political forces of the opposition united in March 1976 and gave birth to a new organization, the Coordinación Democrática, which declared that it would not accept any political system connected with the old Francoist order. Arias Navarro intended only small changes to the Francoist system, but some of his ministers had already anticipated and embraced the prospect of greater change.

José María de Areilza accompanied the King on a trip to the United States in June 1976, and declared complete support for the implementation of a democratic system in Spain. Adolfo Suárez maintained frequent contacts with moderate members of the opposition to plan the first stages of the transition. Also, the King himself, during the trip to the United States, plainly declared that he favored re-establishing democracy in Spain. Finally, in July, as Prime Minister Arias Navarro continued to delay reform and object to democratization, Juan Carlos demanded his resignation.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "The First Government of the Monarchy January-July 1976", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki