Routledge Spain's Second Transition - Zapatero Government Analysis

This scholarly examination explores the transformative reforms undertaken by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero from 2004 to 2008, a period that fundamentally reshaped Spanish politics and society. The book analyses Zapatero's bold decisions including the withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq, a public reckoning with the Spanish Civil War and Franco dictatorship legacy, and the passage of groundbreaking progressive legislation encompassing gay marriage, adoption rights, and comprehensive gender equality measures. It also examines the expansion of regional autonomy across six of Spain's 17 regions during this pivotal era. Published by Routledge as part of the South European Society and Politics series, this work provides essential context for understanding modern Spain's political evolution and the concept of a 'second transition' that redefined the nation's democratic trajectory.