Witness History The storming of Spain's parliament
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Feb 23, 2026 Joaquín Almunia, a former Socialist MP and later EU commissioner, was an eyewitness to the 1981 storming of Spain’s parliament. He recalls hearing gunshots and seeing armed Guardia Civil enter the chamber. He describes the tense hours of captivity, makeshift coping tactics, the blackout of information and the king’s decisive broadcast that helped defuse the coup.
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Tejero Storms Parliament With Gun
- Joaquín Almunia recalled Colonel Antonio Tejero entering parliament with a gun and ordering MPs to sit with hands on seats, halting the democratic vote.
- He feared for his family and country, remembering his wife listening on radio and his 18-month daughter at home.
Lack Of Military Support Doomed The Coup
- The coup faltered because other military regions did not support Tejero and King Juan Carlos publicly condemned the putsch on TV.
- Information trickled between MPs by radio and toilet conversations until it became clear the conspirators stood alone.
Hostages Used Toilets To Share News And Smoke
- MPs were held for 18 hours with limited movement, permission required even to use toilets and cigarettes became a prized commodity.
- Joaquín Almunia described using toilet breaks to exchange news and beg colleagues for cigarettes.