Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a historic decision to declassify documents related to the attempted coup of February 23, 1981. This decision, announced on the 45th anniversary of the events known as 23-F, aims to repay a "historical debt" to society and end speculation that has grown over decades. The archives may shed new light on the role of the royal household, the identity of the mysterious "White Elephant," and the actions of individual military commanders during this critical moment for Spanish democracy.

Historic declassification decision

The Spanish government decided to reveal previously unknown files concerning the 1981 coup attempt, 45 years after the events.

End of conspiracy theories

The documents are expected to help clarify the role of the king, intelligence services, and the identity of key conspirators, putting an end to decades of speculation.

Pressure for legal reform

Left-wing parties, including Podemos, are using this moment to demand a complete overhaul of the archaic State Secrets Act from the Franco era.

RTVE series success

The fictional production about the coup's backstage attracted millions of viewers, outperforming popular reality shows in the ratings.

The government's decision to lift the secrecy clause from files concerning the coup of February 23, 1981, marks a breakthrough in the study of Spain's recent history. For 45 years, many key documents remained inaccessible to historians due to restrictive State Secrets Act. Researchers' expectations focus on clarifying the role of Juan Carlos I and verifying reports such as the Jáudenes report. Although writer Javier Cercas tempers expectations, claiming that the "great secret" does not exist, the declassification of government conversations and intelligence reports is crucial for combating disinformation. After General Franco's death in 1975, Spain began a process of democratization. The 1981 coup attempt was the most serious threat to the new parliamentary monarchy, ending after the king's famous televised address. Politically, Sanchez's announcement sparked a wave of commentary. Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz called it an act of responsibility towards the past, while the Podemos party argues that declassification alone is insufficient and demands a systemic reform of the State Secrets Act. Supporters of the document release hope to definitively establish the identity of the mythical "White Elephant" – a figure who, according to the coup planners, was to lead a national unity government after the overthrow of Adolfo Suárez's cabinet. 17 godzin — the parliament was under siege during the 23-F coup Parallel to political actions, the 23-F topic dominated Spanish media thanks to the premiere of the miniseries "Anatomy of a Moment" on RTVE. This production became a ratings leader, confirming the undiminished public interest in the subject. The new documents may also rehabilitate figures such as General Juste, commander of the Brunete Armored Division, whose role in stopping the rebellion is the subject of historical debate. The official declassification process is expected to begin during the next meeting of the Council of Ministers. „No se esperen el gran secreto sobre el golpe de estado del 23F porque no existe” (Don't expect the great secret about the 23-F coup because it doesn't exist) — Javier Cercas

Mentioned People

  • Pedro Sánchez — Prime Minister of Spain, who announced the decision to declassify the 23-F files.
  • Javier Cercas — Renowned Spanish writer, author of the book "Anatomy of a Moment" about the coup.
  • Yolanda Díaz — Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister of Labor, supporting the government's decision.