The Spanish Transition to Democracy and the European Community, 1975–77

Abstract

The death of General Franco opened a period in Spanish history in which the attention of Europe was to be focused on the country with an unprecedented intensity if one excludes the period of the Spanish Civil War. Governments, European institutions and other political fora debated and made predictions for the future of Spain, and although scepticism with regard to democratization predominated, the new Spanish monarchy was to be gradually accepted. Europe had several ways of intervening in Spanish politics since negotiations between Spain and the European Community were still pending, and European parties had acquired great influence. Not surprisingly, European ties were frequently utilized by the main Spanish actors in the transition to democracy in order to achieve their aims.