Planning/Managing Succession

• In 1947 Franco passed the Law of Leadership Succession. This formally declared that Spain was a monarchy but didn't specify who should be the next king. Furthermore, under the law Franco retained the right to decide who would become the next king and the timing for the transition to monarchy. Therefore, while this law allowed Franco to appease the various fractions that supported him and maintain his hold on power, it left Spain's future unclear.
• The succession issue re-emerged in the 1960s. In 1961, Franco injured his left hand in a hunting accident. This potentially fatal accident forced leading figures to consider the issue of succession, which was further influenced by Franco's declining health. Franco experienced breathing difficulties and underwent numerous operations, which made public speeches difficult. He was also suffering from Parkinson's disease.
• Franco also became increasingly unable to conduct his official responsibilities. In December 1968, he had to leave his cabinet meeting prematurely as a result of ill health. Leading figures feared that without a clear process of succession, there could be civil unrest and the government could collapse.
• Spanish monarchists had supported Franco since the civil war and many held senior positions in government. This included Carrero Blanco, who supported Juan Carlos' claim to the throne. In 1968, Blanco sent Franco a document that argued the case for Juan Carlos' succession and gave reasons for excluding other claimants to the throne.
• Other than Juan Carlos, Don Juan (Juan Carlos' father) and Carlos-Hugo (the Carlist's claimant) were other possible claimants to the Spanish throne.
• Blanco and Franco believed that Juan Carlos would continue the essential principles of Franco's regime. They believed this was preferable to Don Juan, who advocated liberalism.
• In 1969, under pressure from leading members of the regime such as Fraga, Juan Carlos publicly declared in the Spanish press that he supported and respected the social, economic and political principles of the regime.
• On 22nd July 1969, Franco formally announced that Juan Carlos would be installed as Spain's next head of state. In response, Juan Carlos publicly stated that his political legitimacy was based upon Franco's support.
• However, Juan Carlos wasn't universally popular. Many viewed him as Franco's puppet. In addition, Juan Carlos had spent years in exile abroad and many Spaniards found it difficult to identify with him. The formal installation of Juan Carlos as king thus didn't resolve many Spaniard's grievances.
• Franco's decision to return Spain to a monarchy proved controversial. The regime and Franco's cabinet were divided between the conservatives, known as the 'bunkers' or 'immobilists', and those who supported political reform. The reformers hoped after Francos' death, Juan Carlos would support Spain's return to democracy. However, conservatives believed a return to democracy would not be in the country's national interests and backed an alternative pretender to the throne.
• In 1972, conservatives supported Alfonso de Borgon-Dampierre as future king. He was a grandson of Alfonso XIII and married to Franco's granddaughter, Dorna Carmen. He had not declared support for democracy and his marriage provided a close link to the regime. Furthermore, many argued he had a stronger claim since he was a descendent from Alfonso XIII's 2nd son, whereas Juan Carlos was a descendent from his 3rd son.
• The claim of Borbon-Dampierre was championed by Dorna Carmen. As Franco's health declined, her influence over him increased and she convinced him to give Borbon-Dampierre the title 'His Royal Highness' and to be formally recognised as the Spanish prince.
• The appointment of a new cabinet in 1973 under prime minister Carrero Blanco placed a supporter of Juan Carlos at the centre of government. In this sense, the appointment of Blanco signalled that Franco was determined to make Juan Carlos king.
• Blanco's appointment as PM in 1973 was a clear indication of Franco's plan for the future. After his death, Franco wanted Blanco to continue as PM and Juan Carlos to be installed as head of state. Franco envisaged a future Spain which was ruled by an authoritarian monarchy, and in which a growing economy would lead to an easing of tensions and widespread popular support for the regime.
• However, on 20th December 1973, Blanco was assassinated by ETA in a car bomb explosion. His murder left a power vacuum at the heart of the regime.
• Following Blanco's assassination, Franco appointed conservative Navarro as PM. His appointment was an attempt to appease the RW of the government who were becoming increasingly concerned for the growing demands for political reform. Navarro ordered a violent clampdown on ETA and working class groups that were demanding political and economic reform. He permitted the establishment of new RW groups such as 'The New Force' and 'Warriors of the Christ King', which violently repressed opposition to the regime.
• Navarro's actions occurred during an economic crisis. In October 1973, OPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. The price of oil increased by 70% and resulted in the rapid decline of US and European investment in Spain. As a result, Spain's economy entered recession. Navarro's repressive measures also resulted in street fighting and demands for further political change. Consequently, Franco's plans for an orderly transfer of power were undermined.
• Between 1969 to 1974, Juan Carlos carried out different duties for the regime. From 1969, he preformed a diplomatic role, which included:

  • meeting with Jean Rey (president of the EEC) 1969
  • visiting the USA in 1971 and meeting with president Nixon to consolidate the relationship between the USA and Spain
• Juan Carlos also oversaw the allocation of titles among the Spanish royal family. However, his power was limited - true power resided with Franco. Although, the role of diplomat gave Juan Carlos opportunities to discuss the political future of Spain. Significantly, for many Spaniards, he reflected the hope that Spain would one day become a modern European democracy.
• Franco's health continued to deteriorate during 1975. Despite being in and out of hospital, he held a tight grip on power and continued to make crucial decisions. He supported Navarro's repressive measures. In September 1975, he supported the execution of 2 leading ETA members and 3 members of FRAP (LW group) for killing policemen. Violent actions by LW groups caused a wave of protests by extreme RW supporters.
• In 1975, Franco needed to appease his RW government, so he passed a new anti-terrorist law, which made the death penalty mandatory for the murder of any member of the security services. He ignored pleas for mercy from the Vatican and Juan Carlos.
• Franco made his last public appearance in October 1975, on the 39th anniversary of his appointment as head of state. He blamed Spain's political problems on a conspiracy involving LW groups, communists and freemasons. On the same day, radical LW group GRAPO killed 4 policemen.
• After his last public appearance, Franco suffered a series of heart attacks. He finally died on 20th November 1975, aged 82. Few western leaders attended his funeral, a clear sign that they didn't support the dictatorship.