How the media used the charisma of Dolores Ibárruri during the initial stages of the transition to democracy in Spain

Abstract

The article analyzes the role of Dolores Ibárruri “La Pasionaria” during the Transition to democracy in
Spain. There were two central events in which the Communist leader played a key role: the first was
upon her return from exile on May 13th, 1977; and second was her presence at the inauguration of the
first democratic Parliament on July 13 of that same year. By looking at how the media portrayed these
events, it becomes clear that there was a recycling, so to speak, of her charisma: the charismatic leadership
role that was constructed during the Civil War was later resuscitated during the transition to democracy.
However in this case, it was used to legitimize the process of transition and infuse its narrative
with an overtone of reconciliation.