Page "Monarchy of Spain" Paragraph 10

General Franco ruled Spain as Regent to the King of Spain.

However, without a king on the throne, he ruled through a coalition of allied organizations from the Spanish Civil War including, but not limited to, the fascist Falange political party, the supporters of the Borbon royal family, and the Carlists, until his death in 1975.

Despite Franco's alliance with the Carlists, Franco appointed Juan Carlos I de Borbón as his successor, who is credited with presiding over Spain's transition from dictatorship to democracy by fully endorsing political reforms.