Last Stand in the Philippines». Local Administration in Second Francoism: Legal reforms, Elections and Precarious Budgets

Municipal government was under close scrutiny by the State in Spain since the nineteenth century, legally, financially and administratively. During Francoism scrutiny increased. Nevertheless, the reform of municipal life was debated within the regime since the 1960s, as part of a broader project of institutionalization and legitimization. The debate on reform was prolongued, yet for the most part fruitless. The new law of 1975 and the elections of 1976 are telling of the negligible results of Francoist reform. Municipal income remained insufficient. It became clear that reform of local administration was truly a Gordian knot. Municipal life was not a priority during the process of political change, its democratic renewal was delayed until the Spring of 1979. The priority were the autonomías and not the ayuntamientos.