Anniversary of Spain’s first democratic elections shows political division 40 years on
King of Spain criticises attempts to “divide Spanish citizens” in veiled reference to Catalan pro-independence movement
The 40th anniversary celebration on Wednesday of Spain’s first democratic elections in 1977 revealed the country’s main political divisions. Catalan MPs refused to greet the arrival of the King of Spain, while Spanish opposition parties organised an alternative ceremony paying homage to those who fought against the Franco dictatorship.
The Spanish Parliament hosted the official celebration of the anniversary, which brought together high-level former political officials, such as the so-called “fathers” of the Constitution, the first Members of Parliament and former Spanish presidents Felipe González and José Maria Aznar. Catalan MPs from the PDeCAT party attended the ceremony but did not greet king Felipe VI’s arrival in the chamber. Instead, they stood in protest and held up a picture that read “June 15 1977 - October1”, in reference to Spain’s first elections and the date set for Catalonia’s independence referendum. MPs of the Podemos party also declined to greet the king’s arrival.
Members of the Catalan left-wing pro-independence ERC party refused to attend the event, arguing that their party was still illegal back in 1977 and therefore could not run for election. Moreover, ERC’s leader in the Spanish Parliament, Joan Tardà, said that the party does not attend events in the presence of the King of Spain.