Political and economic background

Franco's death in 1975 marked a watershed in contemporary Spanish history. Since then, Spain has witnessed the dismantling of his dictatorial regime and the gradual establishment of democracy. The first free elections since 1936 were held on 15 June 1977 and on 28 December 1978 a new Constitution came into effect, paving the way for the creation of a completely new political structure, as well as more democratic political and economic institutions.

Democratic tradition in Spain

It is sometimes forgotten that, in spite of her propensity for authoritarian regimes, Spain has a long, albeit turbulent, democratic history stretching back to when the first constitution was drawn up. Although weak in comparison with the forces of reaction, a democratic tradition, founded by the liberal politicians of the early nineteenth century, survived the vicissitudes of authoritarian rule and, prior to the post-Franco period, expressed itself first in the short-lived First (Federal) Republic of 1873–4 and later in the Second Republic of 1931–36. In fact, the Republican Constitution of far more progressive than anything that had preceded it in Spain, presented an important landmark in the development of the Spanish democratic Tradition.