The constitutional revision of 1982, the abolition of the Council of the Revolution and the end of military tutelage over democratic civil power in Portugal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17811/hc.v0i26.1118Keywords:
Portugal; 1982 constitutional revision; democratic transition; civil-military relations; subordination of military power to civil power; abolition of the Council of the RevolutionAbstract
In August 1982, a two-thirds majority of deputies elected to the second legislature of the Assembly of the Republic approved significant changes to the Portuguese Constitution, in force since 1976. Among other measures, it was decided to abolish the Council of the Revolution, an important sovereign organ, composed exclusively of military personnel, which for six years had tutored Portuguese democracy. This decisive moment marks the end of the democratic transition and paves the way for the consolidation of a democratic regime in Portugal. Starting from a historical perspective that uses various contributions from political science and is based on primary sources that are still little explored, namely the archives of the Council of the Revolution, this article focuses on relations between military and civilians, describing and analysing the conclusion of a long and troubled process of subordination of military power to civil power. Often described as the predictable result of a transitional situation, the 1982 constitutional revision and the abolition of the Revolutionary Council should not, however, be interpreted as a given from the outset. This article examines the various obstacles, pressures and attempts to call into question the constitutional review process, coming from both military and civilian circles.
Enviado el (Submission Date): 30/06/2024
Aceptado el (Acceptance Date): 21/09/2024
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Copyright (c) 2024 David Castaño
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