A recently declassified military report on the events of February 23, 1981, has once again prompted Spaniards to reflect on the fragility of democracy and the role of the monarchy in the nation’s destiny. The document, prepared by military intelligence, for the first time offers a detailed account of the tense negotiations that took place that night in the king’s residence, negotiations on which the fate of Spain depended. At the center is the king’s determination not to yield to pressure and not to leave the country, despite the threat of a new civil war.
On the evening of February 23, when news broke of the seizure of the Congress of Deputies led by Antonio Tejero, urgent meetings began at the royal palace. According to El Pais, the king refused to support the plans of General Alfonso Armada to head a new government, despite efforts to convince him that the move was necessary. At this moment, it became clear that the monarchy would not become an instrument of a military coup.
Critical moment
For several hours, members of the military command tried to determine whether the king supported the actions of the rebels. General José Juste personally called the residence to find out whether Armada was with the king. The response was unequivocal: there would be no support from the monarch. After that, the king’s secretary ordered that Armada was not to be allowed into the palace under any circumstances.
Negotiations were held in parallel with General Milans del Bosch (Jaime Milans del Bosch), who had deployed troops onto the streets of Valencia. The King demanded an immediate halt to military actions and for the soldiers to return to their barracks. At that moment, it became known that the military had taken control of television, and the King’s address could be blocked from being aired.
Negotiations and Ultimatums
During the night of February 23rd to 24th, the situation remained extremely tense. The King’s secretary tried to persuade Tejero to surrender, but he insisted he would obey only Milans del Bosch. Armada, meanwhile, continued pushing his own plan but was met with a strict refusal: he was not allowed to act on behalf of the King.
By midnight, it was clear that the attempt to form a new government had failed. Armada was granted permission to enter the Congress solely to negotiate Tejero’s surrender, but Tejero refused to even discuss any exit conditions. According to El Pais, Tejero rejected the offer to leave the country with his family, despite security guarantees.
The Decisive Night
Toward morning, the King held another tough conversation with Milans del Bosch, insisting on the immediate withdrawal of troops and an end to resistance. The General reported that Tejero was no longer following his orders. The King made it clear: any attempt to justify the coup by referring to the monarchy would be a direct betrayal of the oath and of the country.
Shortly after this, Milans del Bosch announced the withdrawal of troops from Valencia and reaffirmed his loyalty to the law and the crown. By morning, it became clear that Tejero was ready to surrender under certain conditions. These events became a turning point for modern Spain, demonstrating that even in its most dangerous hours, the monarchy could play a crucial role in preserving order.
Historical context
The attempted military coup on February 23, 1981, was one of the most dramatic episodes in modern Spanish history. During those days, the country teetered on the brink of a new civil war, with the fate of democracy hanging by a thread. As El Pais reports, newly declassified documents offer fresh insight into the actions of key figures and help explain why the choice was ultimately made in favor of legality.
Interestingly, even decades later, debates about the role of the monarchy and the military in those days have not subsided. In this context, it’s worth recalling how recently many parties refused to celebrate the monarchy’s anniversary in Congress, once again raising questions about trust in the institution of the monarchy and its place in contemporary politics.
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly faced attempts to reinterpret historical events and reassess the role of state institutions. The publication of new documents about 23-F could spark fresh debates about the country’s future and its political system. Similar declassifications have already triggered heated discussions, as happened after the release of archives about the transition to democracy and other key moments in recent history.
