The New Spain - Constitutional Referendums (1985)

[Lumine]

₁

The ultimate showdown for the throne

December 1985

For the second time since 1979,
Spaniards get to vote on their system of government

CONTEXT: In order to form his shaky government coalition, Carlos Hugo had to address the elephant in the room regarding his claim to the Spanish throne in order to obtain the support of a number of left-wing parties. Despite the Prince's protests that he put government and dramatic reform above the long-term question of the monarchy, neither PSOE, PSP or the Catalan nationalists were even slightly willing to put up with it. The issue for them was clear: either Carlos Hugo would address said claim and spare the nation any uncertainty, or there would be no government of the left. Thus the Prince - advised by his deputy, José María Zavala - cut a deal.

Right before the young Felipe VI reached his majority of age, there would be a referendum on the choice of King, the same one Carrillo and the PCE chose to deny the nascent movement back in 79'. There was, however, a twist, imposed by the pro-Republic elements on the left: Carlos Hugo would have to consent to another referendum on the monarchy itself. Unable to find alternative ways into power, the Red Prince consented. Eighteen months after entering power, and undergoing enormous strain due to a rapidly collapsing economy, Prime Minister Borbón-Parma is forced into a dramatic referendum to settle the issue, one that he can no longer avoid after the fusion and creation of the PSE.

But can the Carlists rally and win by the ballot box what they couldn't win through force since the 19th Century?

The Referendums:

Monarchy or Republic: Once again, and at the insistence of the left, Spain is called to vote again on whether to retain the monarchy (61% support in 1979) or to embrace the Third Spanish Republic. On paper, both the Carlists and the PP back a continued Monarchy - if under different Kings -, and are only officially opposed on the matter by the Communists and the Republican Left. However, the attitude of the center and the center left remains a matter of speculation, forcing the PSE and the UCD to take sides despite significant elements in both parties backing a specific alternative. Should the Republic prevail, a mostly ceremonial President will be elected every seven years.

Felipe or Carlos Hugo: In unprecedented fashion, the nation is called to also elect its choice of King should the Monarchy prevail. On one side is the young Felipe VI (almost 18), Juan Carlos' son and King under a regency since 1979. Supporters of Felipe point to the King's upbringing as a constitutional monarch under the liberal Regent, the Count of Barcelona, and his relative isolation from the political struggles of the 70's. His detractors, to his father's alleged corruption and the young King's sheer inexperience. On the other side is Carlos Hugo himself (aged 55), the incumbent Prime Minister and leader of the Carlist Party. His supporters point to his opposition to Franco, and his desire for a popular monarchy that upholds federalism and socialism alike. His detractors, to Carlos Hugo's odd beliefs, the terrible economic situation, and his potential status as an impartial monarch.

Two days.

_____________________________
^{1.) Original Image: Royal Palace of Spain, Wikimedia Commons.}

[GM Team Member and Deputy PPT WB]

for ultimate chaos, Republic and Carlos Hugo

[Antonio the Sixth]

iViva la República!

[certified hummus supporter 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

¡Viva la monarquía! ¡Viva el Rey Carlos!

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Voting for Carlos Hugo to become simultaneous King and Prime Minister and usher in a Titoist golden age. Only he can keep this fragile multiethnic state together.

[Lumine]

This is fascinating one so far, very narrow lead of Carlos Hugo over Felipe, but a more significant lead for the Republic against the Monarchy.

[S019]

Republic/Felipe

[Senator Spiral]

Voting for Carlos Hugo to become simultaneous King and Prime Minister and usher in a Titoist golden age. Only he can keep this fragile multiethnic state together.

Yes. Don't mess this one up, Atlas.

[Dereich]

Democracy has been an embarrassing disaster for Spain. Now, completely unable to produce a stable government yet again, the fickle and petty subjects of King Felipe are ready to tear down the only stable institution left in this basketcase of a country. At least good King Felipe won't have to suffer the indignity of watching the country now tear itself apart province by province under his rule. Clearly the Spanish are still incapable of self-rule.

[ReallySuper]

the traitorous "left" must be humiliated for their failures to be consistently republican and abandoning the IR in order to prop up a pretender to the throne. voted for a republic and abstained on the absurd question of who should be king (the obvious answer: ¡nadie!)

[Lumine]

Felipe now with a decent - but not decisive - lead over Carlos Hugo... but the Republic builds up its far larger lead.

[Lumine]

1985 Constitutional Referendums:

REPUBLIC: 55.9%
MONARCHY: 44.1%

FELIPE VI: 53.1%
CARLOS HUGO I: 46.9%

The Red Prince felt sick, and shaken to his core. The campaign had been bad enough, an unwilling government forced to try and secure final success for Carlism in the middle of an awful depression and soaring inflation - hyperinflation according to the opposition -, all due to the Socialists' pressures. Then both Suárez and Guerra had overcome their mutual distaste and emerged jointly to endorse a vote for the Republic, further complicating things. Having to win not just one but two votes, the troubling prospect of clearing one hurdle just to fall on the next one terrified the cabinet and the Carlist leadership.

Even so, the Red Prince braved the odds alongside Zavala and Navarrese Premier Zufía, the star of the campaign. And PP, while the heart of the pro-Felipe campaign, could also be counted on to uphold the monarchy. And off Carlos Hugo went to the regions and the factories, telling the workers - those who still had jobs that is - of the wonders of the socialist autogestionary, federal and foralist, and popularly legitimized Carlist monarchy. As election night approached, Carlos Hugo's biggest fear was narrowly losing to young Felipe, there being no question of a Republic despite Suárez and Guerra's antics (the Red Prince now longed to demote the rebellious Deputy Prime Minister).

On said night, Carlos Hugo lost to Felipe by seven points. The knowledge that it had been close despite the economic disaster could have provided some hope... were it not for the resounding victory for the Republic, a marked turnaround from 1979. As some experts would later interpret it, it seemed as if the people had tired of the ceaseless infighting over the throne. Grinning from ear to ear, Alfonso Guerra proclaimed the Third Spanish Republic from a balcony at the PSE's HQ in Ferraz. Soon after, Guerra pulled the plug on the government. In his view, Socialism was about to prevail against the Carlists.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Are we getting a full-on Constituent Assembly now or just keeping the same constitution and swapping the king for a president?

[Lumine]

Are we getting a full-on Constituent Assembly now or just keeping the same constitution and swapping the king for a president?

I was leaning towards the latter, but that's an interesting prospect, particularly since we're due for a new election. It will likely be a new constituent Cortes like in 77', this time mandated to deliver a new Republican constitution.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Are we getting a full-on Constituent Assembly now or just keeping the same constitution and swapping the king for a president?

I was leaning towards the latter, but that's an interesting prospect, particularly since we're due for a new election. It will likely be a new constituent Cortes like in 77', this time mandated to deliver a new Republican constitution.

I imagined the new election would be either the first presidential election or a midterm-style vote on who X parliamentary group should support as the first president. But it’s not my game!

[certified hummus supporter 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Sad day for Spain