Spanish Republican government in exile (apr 4, 1939 – jul 1, 1977)

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The Government of the Spanish Republic in exile (Spanish: Gobierno de la República Española en el exilio) was a continuation in exile of the government of the Second Spanish Republic following the victory of Francisco Franco's forces in the Spanish Civil War. It existed until the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1977.

Until 1945, the exiled Republicans had high hopes that at the end of World War II in Europe, Franco's regime would be removed from power by the victorious Allies and that they would be able to return to Spain. When these hopes were disappointed, the government-in-exile faded away to a purely symbolic role. The government moved back to Paris in 1946. There was also a Basque government in exile and a Catalan government in exile.

Following Franco's death in 1975, King Juan Carlos initiated a democratic transition. In 1977 the exiled Republicans accepted the re-establishment of the monarchy and recognised Juan Carlos' government as the legitimate government of Spain. The key moment came when Socialist leaders Felipe González and Javier Solana met Juan Carlos at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid — a tacit endorsement of the monarchy by the previously staunchly republican Socialists.

On 1 July 1977, the Government of the Spanish Republic was formally dissolved. In a gesture of reconciliation, Juan Carlos received the exile leaders at a ceremony in Madrid.

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