A 'second transition' in Spain? Policy, institutions and interparty politics under Zapatero (2004-8)

Abstract

This work analyses whether the first government of Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (2004-8) represents a 'second transition' in relation to the transition to democracy that occurred in Spain in the mid-1970s. After reviewing the concept of a second transition and the electoral context, the work analyses the patterns of change and continuity in the areas of public policy, political institutions and interparty politics. It concludes that while there were significant changes during the Zapatero government, they do not amount to a second transition. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.