The Spanish government’s decision to release archives related to the attempted military coup on February 23, 1981 has sparked a heated response in the country’s political circles. This move could change the state’s approach to official secrets and raises questions about public trust in the authorities, as the events in question still fuel debate and speculation among Spaniards.
The announcement of the upcoming document publication came 45 years after an armed group led by Antonio Tejero stormed the Congress of Deputies. Now, as the Council of Ministers prepares to declassify the files, the country’s political forces are divided in their assessments.
Opposition Reaction
The main opposition force, the Partido Popular, has sharply criticized the initiative. Party representatives believe that Pedro Sánchez’s government is trying to distract public attention from current issues by turning to historical themes. According to Esther Muñoz, such decisions are merely attempts to create media noise and divert focus from the real difficulties the country faces.
Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida also joined the criticism, questioning the need to revisit events from almost half a century ago. He stated that if the government had real accomplishments, there would be no need to resort to the past. Vox leader Santiago Abascal similarly described the disclosure of the archives as inappropriate, suggesting authorities should focus instead on investigating recent crimes rather than events from the last century.
The position of the left and nationalist groups
Among left-wing parties and nationalist movements, the reaction was different. Izquierda Unida coordinator Antonio Maíllo supported the release of the documents, but emphasized that this was not enough. He called for a comprehensive reform of the state secrets law, which he believes is outdated and fails to meet modern transparency standards.
PNV also advocated for further disclosure, insisting on the need to review current regulations. Party representatives believe that the government should show political will and grant access to more archives to bring Spanish legislation closer to European standards.
Podemos and its representative Pablo Fernández argue that this step alone is insufficient. They demand shorter secrecy periods and more transparent procedures. Meanwhile, ERC, through Gabriel Rufián, insists on the publication not only of general materials, but also concrete information about phone calls and documents related to the events of February 23.
Demands for transparency
EH Bildu supported the initiative, but urged against limiting it to only the 23-F archives. In their view, other cases that remain classified, including tragedies in the Basque Country and other high-profile events, should also be revealed. Party representatives are convinced that only political will can move the situation forward and provide society with answers to long-standing questions.
The ruling PSOE party stated that this move is important for democracy. Party representatives noted that opening up the archives inevitably sparks debate, but it is such decisions that help cleanse the political system and strengthen citizens’ trust.
Context and consequences
The discussion about secrecy and access to archives is closely linked to other political scandals in recent years. For example, a recent debate erupted in Extremadura over allegations of corruption and election pressure, covered in detail in the article on the struggle for power and legal battles in the region. Such stories highlight just how crucial transparency and openness in government are for society.
According to El Pais, the decision to release the 23-F documents could set a precedent for further changes to state secrecy laws. In recent years, Spain has repeatedly debated the need to reform outdated regulations to provide greater access to information and boost trust in government institutions.
Recalling other instances of state archives being declassified, it is worth noting that such steps have always triggered a strong public reaction. In 2018, the opening of files related to the GAL case was discussed, and in 2023, there was the publication of materials about events in Catalonia. Each time, these decisions sparked new debates about the limits of transparency and the government’s accountability to its citizens.
