A Military Incident in Transition: the Election of General Gabeiras as Chief of General Staff of the Army (1979)

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Published 13-03-2015
Roberto Muñoz Bolaños

Abstract

The May 17, 1979, the highest ranking Spanish Army, the Chief of Staff of the Army (JEME), Lieutenant General Thomas Liniers and Pidal, ceased from office for reasons of age. To replace it, the Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs, Lieutenant General Manuel Gutiérrez Mellado, who was faced with military leaders from the legalization of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE), and did not trust the major Army commands , decided to choose a friend, without prestige within the Armed Forces (SAF), but his complete confidence: Major General José Gabeiras Montero. Gabeiras Choosing caused a commotion in the Army, and even more if possible increase the distrust of the military was the Suarez government. However, less than two years later, during the coup of 23-F, the choice of Gabeiras would prove key to the maintenance of the democratic system, and that prevented the mobilization of much of the military commands in favor of the coup, as was the wish of their commanders.

 
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Keywords

Armed Forces, military coups, Chief of Staff of the Army, military reform, Spanish transition

Section
Articles