50 Years of Freedom and Democracy in Spain

May 29, 2025. The Cervantes Institute in Tetuan hosted a significant event, "Spain in Freedom: 50 years of democracy," to commemorate the successful collective process that transformed Spain from a dictatorship into one of the world's most robust, open, and prosperous democracies.

The program served as a profound reflection on the nation's political, economic, and social metamorphosis over the past half-century. In his keynote address, Harold Bertot Triana, General Coordinator of the Jean Monnet Module, provided a detailed analysis of the evolution of the idea of Europe and the European Union from the time of Spain's transition. He also delved into the intricate process of Spain's subsequent incorporation into the European Communities, a key milestone in the country's democratic consolidation.

The discussion focused intently on the Spanish Political Transition—the pivotal period in contemporary Spanish history when the country moved beyond the Francoist dictatorial regime. This journey culminated in the ratification of the 1978 Constitution, which restored democracy on a social and democratic foundation, marked by a spirit of concord among political leaders that ended nearly four decades without fundamental freedoms.

Through a panel of invited experts, the event explored multiple facets of this historic period: the mechanisms of the Political Transition itself, how it can be taught and understood from outside Spain's borders, the evolving concept of Europe, and crucially, how this profound change was perceived from the perspective of Spain's neighbor, Morocco.

The gathering at the Cervantes Institute underscored the enduring legacy of Spain's democratic journey and its deep, interconnected relationship with the European project, fostering a unique binational dialogue on history, governance, and shared future aspirations.

A key highlight was the analysis presented by Harold Bertot Triana, General Coordinator of the Jean Monnet Module. In his address, Triana traced the evolution of the concept of Europe and the European Union since Spain's democratic transition, and detailed the historical process of Spain's accession to the European Communities.