Chapter 14 – Democracy at Last!
“Franco’s 36-year reign finally came to an end in 1975 when the generalíssimo passed away following a protracted illness. Two days after his demise, the Bourbon dynasty was reinstated. Juan Carlos I was named king of Spain as per the wishes of the deceased; the strongman had groomed him since he was ten years old to be his successor. He even had him swear allegiance to the Nationalist order, but the new king had another agenda. Instead of maintaining the authoritarian state, Juan Carlos sanctioned liberal reforms and met with the opposition leaders, which angered the Falangists and conservative elements of the old order. In 1977, Spain held its first post-Franco democratic elections. Spain became a constitutional monarchy and previously banned parties, such as the socialists and communists, were represented. The old Franco guard and their supporters did not look kindly at the unfolding events, and were not going to give up without a fight. (…)”