Formation of party system in new democracy: The case study of Spain

The topic of this bachelor thesis is the formation of Spanish party system from the democratic transition and first free elections in 1977 until now. It follows two mutually interconnected lines - the development and relations of parties on the national level, i.e. the whole party system, and the internal development, structure and functioning of the parties themselves as elements of the party system. The thesis starts with chapter The Franco Regime, which serves as a historical introduction to the issue and calls attention to important events that preceded the Spanish transition to democracy. The second chapter, The Transition to Democracy, slowly abandons the historical perspective and presents an analysis of the first democratic elections and the first democratically governing party - Unión de Centro Democrático. These two chapters are followed by the third chapter The Party System which is the real core of this thesis. In its subchapters are examined: the legal basis of the party system, the conditions of developing Spanish democracy and its impact on the party system and at last the main political powers in Spain of the last 30 years - Partido Socialista Obrero Español and Partido Popular. On the background of detailed examination of these two parties can be seen the development of the..