Los diferentes modelos forales de la UCD en la descentralización de las provincias vasco-navarras (1977)

In 1977, when the Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) coalition took part in the first democratic elections for Spain’s recently restored parliamentary Monarchy, the party ran candidates only in three of the four Basque-Navarre provinces. Even so, it managed – within this limited territorial scope – the third electoral force, just after the Socialist Party of Euskadi-PSOE, and the Basque Nationalist Party PNV. UCD came with a favourable approach to devolution of political powers in the territory, although it did not define its geographical framework: on the province or on the region. Despite this, the UCD’s proposal was respectful of the Fueros (ancient Charters), clearly connected to their medieval roots. As a result, this model made it possible to devolve the provincial autonomous route in Navarre, in accordance with the wishes of the UCD party. At the same time, the regional route in the Basque provinces proposed by the UCD in Vizcaya was approved. But, in this last case, the model was adapted to the demand of the UCD achieved in Alava: a unitary entity where the three provinces have an equal power.