The Death of Francoism

The Basque struggle for national self-determination has become the central point of a massive wave of unrest in Spain, which is threatening to bring about the fall of Franco’s Last month one hundred thousand workers took part in a general strike in Euzkadi (the Basque country) demanding the release of all political prisoners and an end to political repression. The dictatorship has established a state of martial law in Euzkadi and instituted a new wave of repression and terror. In addition, the unofficial right-wing “Warriors of Christ the King” (composed mainly of off-duty policemen) has engaged in a campaign of random bombings and assassinations in Euzkadi, which aims at terrorising militancy — has caused a stiffening of the been a major swing to the left in recent internal Some, notably the Falangists, criticise the resistanca, and a sharpening of the political elections. government for being too soft on oppositionists érisls; and seek a return to the general reign of terror and Against capitalism, against the Church, The unrest and repression in Euzkadi highlights Franco’s final hour against the Army! regime hes found itself. With sconorite On the other hand many elements, notably the ° I the deep political crisis in which the Francoist The heroic struggle of the Basques is a symbol for development and modernisation in the Sixties, _ Catholic Church — always a pillar of Francoism — the whole working class movement in Spain. The the dictatorship attempted to liberalise itself realise that the dictatorship is a sinking ship which working class has learnt over the last century to —_ politically — allowing some freedom of the press, they must desert to save themselves; they are now see the Basque struggle for national tolerating reformist currents, etc. However, the calling for “social justice” for the workers. self-determination as an integral part of their own dictatorship’s ‘tolerance’ helped strengthen Such pressures are tearing the dictatorship struggle for emancipation — against Capitalism, revolutionary currents and increase the confidence P@rt, and it is now only a matter of time before against the Church, and against the Army. of the working class. Now, with the international _t collapses. When it does, it will be up to the The wave of illegal strikes throughout Spain economic recession hitting Spain particularly revolutionary left to see that there will be no has seen attempts by the reformist Communist hard, the dictatorship faces a working class which —‘"ePetition of what happened in the Thirties, but Party to keep workers’ demands within a purely _is determined to resist any cuts in its standard of that instead power passes into the hands of economic framework. The momentum of the living. ‘workers’ councils and the road to socialism begins. political struggle and the growing influence of the The forces which constituted the social basis revolutionary left, however, have frustrated such _for the Francoist dictatorship are themselves ‘attempts; and within the illegal trade union divided as to what course of action should be taken. 1AN MACLEAN regime. i the Basque population into submission to the Francoist regime.

But the terror campaign — far from crushing network, the Workers’ Commissions, there has No retreat in face of capitalist recession UPErERiOn:

Revolutionary greetings were extended to those _fighting for free abortion on demand in Britain