Contradiplomacy and Solidarity: Spanish Communists and East Germany in the Context of Relations between Francoist Spain and the GDR (1949–1977)
Contradiplomacy and Solidarity: Spanish Communists and East Germany in the Context of Relations between Francoist Spain and the GDR (1949–1977)

Summary/Abstract: The Communist Party of Spain (Partido Comunista de España, PCE) and the Communist Party of Germany (Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands, KPD) had historically been united through their membership of the Communist International and their shared experiences in the Spanish Civil War. After the establishment of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands, SED) – the East German successor of the KPD – developed extensive solidarity with the PCE, which the PCE reciprocated with the limited resources at its disposal. Until the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, this solidarity appeared to be unbreakable. From that year on, cooperation became much more difficult. The article explores the evolution of SED–PCE ties and their mutual solidarity within the context of the development of Spain–GDR relations and their respective internal objectives. It examines how, up until 1968, the PCE’s position on relations between Madrid and the socialist countries influenced the East German attitude towards Spain. From that year onwards, the article reflects on the change in the SED’s attitude towards Spain, driven by the division over the Czechoslovakia issue, and the role that the PCE played in the new framework of Spain–GDR relations that was defined from then on.

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