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The Odyssey Of The Democratic Right In Post-Franco Spain, Richard M. Skinner

Richard M. Skinner

Unlike their counterparts in most other Western countries, Spanish conservatives have found little success in recent years. Since Spain returned to democracy in 1977, rightist political parties have not won a majority in the Cortes in any election. Instead, the reins of power have been held by, first, the moderate Union de Centro Democratico (UCD), and later by the left-of-center Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol (PSOE). The Right has been hurt by its perceived links to the Franco regime, by its controversial longtime leader, Manuel Fraga Iribarne, and by the PSOE's increasing centrism.