COMUNICACIÓN

The director general for External Action of the Regional Government of Extremadura, Pablo Hurtado, highlighted Spain’s Transition to democracy as an example of political wisdom, generosity, and the pursuit of understanding. (9/07/2025)

He expressed this view during the opening of the course “Preparing Spain’s Transition to Democracy”, organised by the European and Ibero-American Academy of Yuste Foundation as part of the Campus Yuste training programme, which is part of the University of Extremadura’s International Summer/Autumn Courses.

During his speech, the director general acknowledged that, despite being a complex process full of nuances, all sectors of the Transition period —the political sector, trade unions, business sector, the military and intellectuals— knew how to put the common good before particular interests. “It was the time of consensus, of commitment, of the word given and kept”, he said.

As a result, Spain has experienced the longest period of freedom and economic progress in its history. According to Hurtado, this has led to “a democracy without major upheavals, marked by social peace, institutional consolidation, and peaceful coexistence”, adding that the key lesson from the process is that “democracy cannot be taken for granted, nor is it necessarily inherited”.

In light of the current climate of tension and public debate, Pablo Hurtado defended the value of the spoken word and the commitment to truth “as sacred goods in a democracy”. In his view, the strength of democracy lies in mutual respect and in the preservation of a shared framework that guarantees the rights of all, “including those who do not think like us”, he stated.

In 2025, we will mark the 40th anniversary of Spain and Portugal’s accession to what were then the European Communities —an event that, in Hurtado’s opinion, has enabled both countries to build a “genuine Iberian alliance based on sincere cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared will to create open, modern, and pro-European societies”.

To conclude, the director general firmly stated that Europe is more necessary than ever, as it represents an example of how cooperation, based on trust and a willingness to reach agreement, “can transform societies and build a better future for all”.

Also taking part in the opening was Enrique Moradiellos, full professor of Contemporary History at the University of Extremadura and co-director of the course, who explained that this summer course will examine a decisive historical juncture that lies at the root of the present era. For this reason, over the course of three days, analysts and eyewitnesses will offer international, political, economic, diplomatic and cultural perspectives on the origins of our current situation.

To officially inaugurate the course, the deputy to the Vice-Rectorate for University Extension at the University of Extremadura, Jesús Conde, emphasised that summer courses play a significant role for society at large, and for the educational community in particular, as they are a way of ensuring that learning extends beyond the classroom.
The grant recipients and online participants come from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Portugal.

Yuste Foundation offers the opportunity to follow the courses online. To do so, participants must register via the following form: https://forms.gle/iJuoxzgy9SVAxVsv9