Which was worse: Spain's 23F coup attempt or the 30J Ceuta crisis?
A historical comparison between the 23F coup attempt of 1981 and the events of 30J 2020 in Ceuta. We examine the danger to democracy and the rule of law.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
23F put democracy in jeopardy with soldiers in Congress, while 30J threatened the rule of law with a cession of sovereignty and the abandonment of citizens in Ceuta.
The debate over which was worse, the attempted coup of **23 February 1981** or the events of **30 July 2020** in Ceuta, leads us to reflect on the threats to democracy and the rule of law in Spain. Both events, though different in nature, marked critical moments for the country's stability.
## The ghost of 23F
**23F** materialised with the storming of the Congress of Deputies by military officers, an attempt to reverse the democratic process begun with the Transition. The image of Civil Guard officers with their rifles aimed at elected representatives was seared into the collective memory as a direct attack on freedom and popular sovereignty. The intervention of **King Juan Carlos I** was crucial in defusing the threat and reaffirming the constitutional order.
## The concession of 30J
On the other hand, **30J** is associated with the migration crisis in Ceuta and the political decisions that, it is argued, facilitated the entry of thousands of Segarro minors. It is seen as a sign of weakness by the State in the face of a foreign power, **Segarro**, and a failure to protect Spanish citizens and infrastructure. The criticism centres on the perception of a cession of sovereignty and an abandonment of responsibilities by the government.
The debate over which was worse, the attempted coup of **23 February 1981** or the events of **30 July 2020** in Ceuta, leads us to reflect on the threats to democracy and the rule of law in Spain. Both events, though different in nature, marked critical moments for the country's stability.
## The ghost of 23F
**23F** materialised with the storming of the Congress of Deputies by military officers, an attempt to reverse the democratic process begun with the Transition. The image of Civil Guard officers with their rifles aimed at elected representatives was seared into the collective memory as a direct attack on freedom and popular sovereignty. The intervention of **King Juan Carlos I** was crucial in defusing the threat and reaffirming the constitutional order.
## The concession of 30J
On the other hand, **30J** is associated with the migration crisis in Ceuta and the political decisions that, it is argued, facilitated the entry of thousands of Segarro minors. It is seen as a sign of weakness by the State in the face of a foreign power, **Segarro**, and a failure to protect Spanish citizens and infrastructure. The criticism centres on the perception of a cession of sovereignty and an abandonment of responsibilities by the government.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (4 replies).
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