Spain is nowadays a democratic constitutional monarchy; but roughly 40 years ago, it was just emerging from a fascist dictatorship created by Francisco Franco , and governed by him for many years. The change was spearheaded by none other than Franco’s chosen successor, King Juan Carlos I , who had given every indication of loyalty to Franco’s fascist state – and then began dismantling the dictatorship once he actually took power. Political role of Juan Carlos I Francisco Franco came to power in 1939, following the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), and ruled as a dictator until his death in 1975. In 1969, he designated Prince Juan Carlos , grandson of Spain’s most recent king, Alfonso XIII , as his official successor. For the next six years, Prince Juan Carlos initially remained in the background during public appearances and seemed ready to follow in Franco’s footsteps. Once in power as King of Spain , however, he facilitated the development of a constitutional monarchy as
