The European Economic Community and the End of the Franco Regime: the September 1975 Crisis

After the Franco regime’s last death sentences were carried out in September 1975, a crisis arose between Spain and the European Community that entailed an international protest campaign and the suspension of economic negotiations between Spain and Europe from October 1975 to January 1976. Europe’s condemnation was a significant blow to Spain’s transition to democracy, while it also encouraged the European Economic Cooperation. This article analyzes European strategies during the period of uncertainty after Franco’s death and the links these strategies had with the European integration process.