Las posiciones francesas ante la desaparición de Franco y el establecimiento de la monarquía

Abstract

Around 1974-1975, Spain was, in France's view, a first rate economic partner and a neighbour they were eager to be on friendly terms with again, if only Franco's personality, rather than Francoism, wouldn't arouse suspicion both in the French public opinion and in the political class. This paper evokes the French keen eye on the Spanish situation in the days preceding Franco's disappearance: The rejection of Francoism, the turn towards the king and the controversy about the feasibility of liberalization, as well as the oppositepressure in favour of continuity... and the additional doubts about Spain's ability to evolve peacefully and to ensure France's leading role in the new Spanish politics and economy, both areas being increasingly threatened by American and German presence.