Fundamental Laws

During General Francisco Franco's rule in Spain (1939–1975), his authoritarian regime was structured by a series of Fundamental Laws enacted between 1942 and 1967. These laws declared Spain a monarchy and established a legislature called the Cortes. However, this system differed significantly from Spain's traditional constitutional governance.

Under Franco, members of the Cortes, known as procuradores, were not elected democratically. Instead, they represented societal institutions like families, municipalities, universities, and professional organizations, a concept termed "organic democracy." The government, appointed solely by the head of state, was not accountable to the Cortes, which also lacked control over government finances. The regime faced economic hardship and repression, particularly in the initial decade, exacerbated by the Civil War's destruction and Franco's policies of autarky, which aimed for economic self-sufficiency.123