Second government of Carlos Arias Navarro

The second government of Carlos Arias Navarro was formed on 12 December 1975, following the latter's confirmation as prime minister of Spain by King Juan Carlos I on 5 December, as a result of his enthronement as the new head of state of Spain following dictator Francisco Franco's death on 20 November 1975.^[1][2][3] It succeeded the first Arias Navarro government and was the government of Spain from 12 December 1975 to 5 July 1976, a total of 206 days, or 6 months and 23 days.

Date formed12 December 1975

Date dissolved5 July 1976

MonarchJuan Carlos I

Prime MinisterCarlos Arias Navarro (1975–1976)
Fernando de Santiago (1976; acting)

Quick facts 2nd government of Carlos Arias Navarro, Date formed ...

2nd government of Carlos Arias Navarro
Government of Spain
1975–1976
Arias Navarro in October 1975
Date formed	12 December 1975
Date dissolved	5 July 1976
People and organisations
Monarch	Juan Carlos I
Prime Minister	Carlos Arias Navarro (1975–1976) Fernando de Santiago (1976; acting)
Deputy Prime Ministers	First: Fernando de Santiago Second: Manuel Fraga Third: Juan Miguel Villar Mir
No. of ministers	20[a] (1975–1976) 19[a] (1976)
Total no. of members	20[a]
Member party	FET–JONS
Status in legislature	One-party state
History
Legislature term	10th Cortes Españolas
Budget	1976
Predecessor	Arias Navarro I
Successor	Suárez I

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Arias Navarro's second cabinet was the first to serve under the restored monarchy of Spain,^[4] and was made up of members from the National Movement (which comprised the FET y de las JONS—the only legal political party during the Francoist regime—the military and aligned-nonpartisan figures from the civil service), but would also see the incorporation of members from legal associations, societies and groups—not yet political parties—such as Manuel Fraga's Federation of Independent Studies (FEDISA), the Spanish People's Union (UDPE) and the Spanish Democratic Union (UDE).^[5][6] Further, the death of Franco would see amendments in the regulations of the Cortes Españolas that would allow legislators to group into parliamentary factions,^[7] with one such faction, the Independent Parliamentary Group (GPI), being also present in the government through the figure of Rodolfo Martín Villa.^[8]

Proving incapable of adapting to the coming changes and reluctant to democratize the regime, Arias Navarro would submit his resignation as prime minister on 1 July 1976. In accordance with the legal provisions within the Organic Law of the State,^[9][10] the cabinet remained in place with Deputy Prime Minister Fernando de Santiago as acting prime minister until the appointment of Adolfo Suárez a few days later, with all ministers being automatically dismissed upon the election of the new prime minister.^[11][12]