Spain

Under Franco's nationalist dictatorship Spain was unable to join the European Community when it was originally created. However, following the managed transition to democracy following Franco's death in 1975, Spain sought to integrate itself into both the European economy and the international community of liberal democratic states. Membership of the European Community was seen as essential to this transition as it allowed Spain's fledgling liberal democracy to consolidate itself through its integration into western Europe, and also provided the much-needed economic stimulation to end the quasi-autarkic economic model that had been adopted under Franco. Negotiations for membership of the EC were formally opened on 17 October 1978 and on 1 January 1986 Spain (along with Portugal) acceded to the European Community. Since joining the EC, Spanish popular opinion has generally been supportive towards European integration. This is particularly due to Europe's role in symbolising the country's transition from dictatorship and also due to the high levels of financial support that have been made available through the EC/EU structural funds and Cohesion Fund. Thus, Spain feared a loss of resources as a result of the east European enlargement. Despite this, 76.7% of voters supported the adoption of the European Constitution in the Spanish referendum held in February 2005.

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Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Spain.

Spain