Decline of the falange

• decline of the Falange was result of the economic debates within gov in the late 1950's.
• Jose Arrese, a leading member of the Falange, proposed to end the Spanish economic crisis by embracing a fully fascist economic policy. His ideas became known as the Arrese plan. He supported stricter autarky and greater emphasis on national syndicalism. Franco rejected these proposals and used the economic crisis as an excuse to weaken the Falange's political power and influences within Spain
• Late 1950's Franco realised that the Falange was no longer an asset to his regime. It had little popular support and after two decades its economic policies had clearly failed. It was still essentially a fascist movement so it hindered a better relationship with the western countries
• February 1957: Franco initiated an important cabinet reshuffle in which leading members of the Falange were demoted and a new generation of ministers was given top jobs. Alberto Calvo was appointed minister of trade and Navarro Rubio as minister of finance. They had joined the gov but were not Falangists. They were technocrats who had proven a ability in academic and professional life. New cabinet members had membership of or sympathy with Opus Dei.