Felipe González defends the actions of King Juan Carlos I during the 23-F coup attempt, calling them decisive and exemplary, and urges complete declassification of related documents.
On February 23, 1981, King Juan Carlos I intervened decisively during an attempted coup in Spain orchestrated by Antonio Tejero and his men. The king, while initially engaged in leisure activities, was alerted to the coup when firing erupted nearby. He immediately began to work tirelessly for eleven hours to counter the coup, emphasizing that any attempt to usurp power would not be able to claim legitimacy from the crown. Former Prime Minister Felipe González has since praised the king's critical role in thwarting the coup, urging for the full declassification of documents related to the events of that day.
The king faced a precarious situation that could have drastically altered Spain’s trajectory if the coup had succeeded. His strategy involved clear communication and urging military leaders to stand down, which was crucial in swaying public and military sentiment against the usurpers. González highlighted that King Juan Carlos' decision to appear on television to denounce the coup reinforced the legitimacy of constitutional authority and rallied the nation around democratic principles.
The discussion around the events of 23-F continues to resonate in Spain, reflecting ongoing debates about democracy, monarchy, and accountability. Calls for full disclosure of this historical moment indicate a societal desire to fully understand the implications of the king’s actions, which González regards as essential to comprehend the narrative of Spain's transition to democracy. This retrospective analysis serves to remind citizens of the delicate balance of power and the importance of steadfast leadership in times of crisis.
