Vojska u suvremenoj Španjolskoj
The Army in Contemporary Spain

Summary/Abstract: After the military coup and fall of the backward semi-fascist regime in neighbouring Portugal in the Spring of 1974, and connected with the uncertain and of Franco's personal dictatorship, which as approaching, two questions arise within Spain itself: what is the Spanish Army like, w hat is its position in contemporary Spanish society and w hat is its role within the political system , w hat is its relationship to Franco's regime and how will it behave when, once the dictator is no more, the long postponed social changes begin to take place? I do not think that in Spain one can expect a temperate, leftist military putsch but that the possibility of an extremely rightist military' coup after Franco's death is much greater. Although the Generalissimo has removed general Algeria from his position as Head of the Supreme General Staff, his words probably still stand: »Only a wave of political strikes and urban terrorism can cause the arm y to try a »Greek solution» after Franco’s death». In the transitional period the Military will have an important role, legalised by the Constitution, through their representatives in the Council of the Kingdom and the Regent's Council. As the Bourbons have many followers among the Spanish generals, the Monarchy will have its existence assured for some time to come. Following Franco's orders, the heir to the throne. Juan Carlos. was specially educated in the Spanish Military Academy. I think that the armed forces, after Franco’s period will support the continuity of the government in the form of a constitutional democracy. This is the only strategy which would maintain the united character of the arm ed forces. Two other alternatives are: 1. The conservation of the dictatorship by force, without Franco and 2. Fundamental social changes and a forceful turn towards the left, and these would certainly lead to a renewed encroachment of the army into Spanish politics and perhaps to its internal political disintegration.

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