Felipe González

Felipe González Márquez (born March 5, 1942) was a Spanish socialist politician. He was the General Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) from 1974 to 1997. He was also the longest-serving Prime Minister of the Spanish government, in four successive mandates from 1982 to 1996.

Career

González was born in Seville. When he became a student at the University of Seville he was a Christian Democrat and was active in 2 Roman Catholic organisations.

Related Topics:
Seville - University of Seville - Christian Democrat - Roman Catholic

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He joined the PSOE, an illegal organisation since 1939, in 1962. As a party activist he used the nom de guerre Isidoro. In 1965 he became a part of the PSOE Seville Provincial Committee, serving until 1969.

Related Topics:
PSOE - 1962 - Nom de guerre - Isidoro - 1965 - 1969

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In 1966 he graduated in law before setting up an practice specialising in representing workers. During this time he also taught law at Seville University. In 1969 he married Carmen Romero.

Related Topics:
1966 - Law

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He served on the PSOE National Committee between 1969 and 1970, when he became a member of the party's Executive Commission. He was arrested in 1971 for attending protests against Franco. He was elected PSOE General Secretary in the Congress of Suresnes (France) of 1974 which represented a victory for the young renovating wing of the party over the traditionalist veterans.

Related Topics:
1970 - 1971 - Franco - Suresnes - France - 1974

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After Franco's death in 1975, González became one of the leaders of the legal democratic opposition as a part of the Platform for Democratic Convergence that in March 1976 became a part of the Democratic Junta (front) of Spain. In February 1977 the PSOE was legalised, and participated in Spain's first post Franco general election on June 15 where they gained 29.2% of the vote and 118 seats, making González leader of the opposition in the Parliament.

Related Topics:
1975 - 1976 - 1977 - June 15 - Parliament

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González wanted to rid the PSOE of its Marxist character in order to convert it into a modern socialist party that appealed to all classes. On May 20, 1977, accompanied by Javier Solana, he went to see King Juan Carlos in the Zarzuela Palace. He was named Vice President of the centre left Socialist International on November 7 1978. On March 1 the PSOE consolidated their position as the main opposition party, gaining 30.5% of the vote and 121 seats. González then resigned as Secretary General on May 17 1979 during the XXVII Congress. In September the PSOE called a special XXVIII Congress in which he was re-elected Secretary General by an overwhelming 85.9%.

Related Topics:
May 20 - Javier Solana - King Juan Carlos - Socialist International - November 7 - 1978 - March 1 - May 17 - 1979

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González reportedly refused a celebratory drink offered by a comrade on the news of Franco's death saying I will not drink to the death of any Spaniard.

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