Narcís Serra (Barcelona, ??1943) came directly to the Ministry of Defense in 1982 from the Barcelona mayor’s office. He faced the challenge of democratizing and modernizing the army and was vice president from 1991 to 1995.
What were the keys to that massive citizen support?
Citizens turned to support the PSOE because they saw a greater guarantee of stability, of putting things in order. This did not mean to stir things up, but to put an end to the anti-democratic scares and to undertake the construction of a country comparable to European democracies. We were able to communicate that if there was a large support force, it would be possible to carry out such a delicate operation of definitively moving towards democracy.
On what pillars did they want to support this modernization process?
Those who build the social structure of a social democratic country. Compulsory education, universal healthcare, review of the pension system and the creation of non-contributory pensions. We wanted a country with better education, with higher life expectancy, where no one would be marginalized. In foreign policy there was a problem to solve, which was the starting position on NATO. Once permanence was resolved, we were able to enter the European Union.
You then arrived at the Ministry of Defense, with the attempted coup of 23-F 1981, and therefore the challenge of democratizing the army.
The first few months had to be spent monitoring, controlling and preparing changes. I did not take steps without being convinced and without having dialogued. A fundamental factor was that we never gave in to what was written in the organic law: the command of the armies is always held by the Prime Minister and, by delegation, the Defense Minister. We always treat the military with respect. Another key to success is that I was a minister for nine years. Politics takes time and I lived with three different meetings of chiefs of the General Staff, I lasted longer in office. Respect, principle of command to the letter, dialogue and time were the keys.
In 1982, the autonomic debate was marked by the Loapa, the law to limit the autonomic process after the threat of the 1981 coup.
It was an unnecessary concession and I experienced it with rage from the Barcelona mayor’s office, but when I arrived in Madrid the issues were already on track. Then the situation would deteriorate, but in Catalonia we have to be aware of the mistake of having distanced ourselves from the PNV’s position when the economic agreement clause was approved. many things would have been different
What future Spain imagined then?
In many things reality has exceeded our expectations. But I have the feeling that we have not made progress in understanding difference and multinationality. We have had very hard years, especially with PP governments. The issue of coexistence is pending.
Today there is talk of a policy of trenches and blocs, but the 1980s were not easy either
In the transition, politicians were not career, but improvised and were there to build a better Spain. Many years have passed and it is logical that the initial impulse to build a democracy has changed because it has been achieved. But we run the risk of creating two types of politicians, managers and parliamentarians. Parliamentarians working in areas outside management, and managers increasingly detached from the debate. We must reflect on the relationship that is being generated between politics and citizenship.
You spent 14 years in the Government, do you have friends, affections?
The person I have had the most contact with is Javier Solana. And affection with all the ministers of the time. With Felipe González we also understood each other very well, we have had difficult times together and this unites. In the party, in the PSC, it is different. Only with Pasqual Maragall have I had a close relationship.
