Antonio Tejero In Critical Condition: Why Spain’s 23-f Still Matters To Expats

ANTONIO TEJERO, nan retired Guardia Civil serviceman who led Spain’s grounded 1981 coup d’état, remains successful captious information astatine a Valencian hospital, according to section media.

Tejero’s hospitalisation generated a activity of mendacious decease reports crossed Spanish outlets earlier family clarifications emerged. Family members person denied premature reports of his death, confirming that nan 93-year-old received past rites but is still alive. Several Spanish media outlets, person since corrected early obituaries.

For galore expats successful Spain, this communicative is much than a headline. It is simply a reminder of really nan nonaccomplishment of Tejero’s coup (23-F) helped forge nan free, unchangeable populist they now telephone home.

“The time Antonio Tejero stormed Spain’s Parliament, successful immoderate homes, champagne corks popped. In others, families locked their doors successful fear. It was a infinitesimal erstwhile nary 1 knew if populist would past nan night,” said Naz, astatine EWN.

The coup that astir ended Spain’s democracy

On February 23, 1981, Tejero led astir 200 equipped Civil Guards into nan Spanish Parliament during nan investiture of Prime Minister Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo. Lawmakers were held hostage for astir 18 hours arsenic gunfire rang done nan enclosure – moments captured everlastingly successful RTVE’s archive footage.

The coup collapsed erstwhile King Juan Carlos I appeared connected nationalist tv successful uniform, declaring his support for Spain’s antiauthoritarian Constitution. It was nan turning constituent that cemented nan country’s modulation from dictatorship to democracy.

Tejero was convicted of subject rebellion and sentenced to 30 years successful prison. He was released successful December 1996 aft serving astir half his term, later surviving a quiet life successful Málaga province.

Why Antonio Tejero’s communicative still matters for expats successful Spain

Although it has been 4 decades since nan incident, galore expats who unrecorded successful Spain are unknowingly shaped by nan nighttime populist survived:

• Political stability: Spain’s robust antiauthoritarian institutions and EU rank underpin nan value of life that attracts overseas residents and investors.
• Civil authorities and freedoms: The coup’s nonaccomplishment entrenched liberties and property state that guarantee transparency for residents of each nationalities.
• Rule of law: Civilian authority affirmed successful 1981 built nan dependable ineligible strategy that protects property, pensions and residency authorities today.
• Regional autonomy: The post-Transition colony established nan devolved governance building expats navigate daily, from wellness systems to education.

Today’s Spain is nan nonstop result of that grounded coup. For expats, it explains nan stableness and assurance that make Spain 1 of Europe’s astir desirable destinations to unrecorded and work.

Quick facts: What was 23-F?

• Date: February 23, 1981
• Leader: Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero Molina
• Event: Armed battle connected Spain’s Parliament during a authorities vote
• Outcome: Coup grounded aft King Juan Carlos I defended democracy

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