Was the first Five-Year Plan under Pri Minister Primó’s leadership successful?
This is a question that requires no thought at all; of course, it was highly successful.
From the results achieved by the Five-Year Plan, Spain has transford from an agricultural nation into an agricultural industrial nation.
What does that an? Although agriculture remains Spain’s pillar industry, industry has also reached a considerable scale.
Currently, the total number of workers across Spain reaches hundreds of thousands and is still continuously growing. The increase in the number of workers has effectively boosted Spain’s average annual inco; people can earn greater rewards from their work, which is also why people are satisfied with the Primó Governnt.
Behind the nearly 2 billion peseta increase in Spain’s economic volu, Spain’s average annual inco has grown from 87 pesetas in 1869 to around 115 pesetas by the end of 1873—this is what ordinary Spaniards can see.
It is precisely because of these contributions that as long as Pri Minister Primó continues to run for election, re-election is a matter of course and sothing no one can prevent.
However, at this ti, Spain’s political situation has changed far too much compared to five years ago.
During the election of the first Cabinet Governnt after the Revolution, the candidate for King of Spain had not yet been determined. Primó successfully displaced Grand Duke Serrano and beca the Pri Minister of the first Cabinet Governnt, thanks to his supre prestige in the Revolutionary Army and the political arena.
But the current election for the second Cabinet Governnt is more complex than the first.
Carlo has integrated the Royalist Party composed of nobles and Conservatives, and the throne has beco quite stable.
In such a situation, even if Carlo cannot interfere with Pri Minister Primó’s continued re-election, he can reasonably demand more power.
Whether a power competition or even conflict will erupt between the increasingly mature Carlo and Pri Minister Primó is the question most on the minds of Parliant’s mbers.
But no matter what the mbers of Parliant think, the atmosphere between Pri Minister Primó and Carlo at this mont still appears very harmonious.
After Pri Minister Primó gave a brief summary report, it was then the turn of the ministers from various departnts to deliver detailed annual departntal reports.
Because Pri Minister Primó’s summary report served as a preventive asure, although the mbers of Parliant were sowhat surprised by the performance of various departnts in the Five-Year Plan, it was not entirely inconceivable.
The reason Spain had not achieved good developnt before was not due to shortcomings in the country’s potential and foundation, but because Queen Isabella and the Kingdom governnt’s Pri Minister had not paid sufficient attention.
Spain’s upper class was only concerned with indulging in pleasure, so officials naturally did not pay much attention to the developnt of the economy and industry either, creating a vicious cycle.
Under Pri Minister Primó’s leadership, the Spanish Governnt has expressed great importance to the developnt of the economy and industry. Coupled with the promulgation of the Official Performance Appraisal Act beforehand, officials at all levels have truly begun to pay attention to developing industry and the economy.
After all, the developnt of industry and economic growth are directly tied to their own political achievents, and their political achievents in turn affect their own futures.
With everything interconnected, it is only natural that Spain’s industry and economy have achieved good developnt.
As long as the Cabinet Governnt maintains control at the highest level, ensuring that Spain’s developnt is genuinely effective rather than superficial political achievent projects hastily undertaken for rit, that is sufficient.
This governnt annual work report eting has ended, but for Spain’s political arena, the real excitent has only just begun.
As ti enters 1874, Spain will also usher in a very important year.
Although the Cabinet election takes place in February, Spain in January already carries so of the heated atmosphere of the Cabinet election.
Although the Cabinet Governnt election has little to do with most commoners, the newspaper and dia will not miss this hottest news. Starting from January 1, the new year and a new day, the streets and alleys of Madrid are filled with newsboys selling newspapers, shouting the hot topics from the newspapers to attract people to stop and watch.
Although the Cabinet election has attracted great attention from the public, anyone with eyes knows that as long as Pri Minister Primó confirms his candidacy, the position of Cabinet Pri Minister has nothing to do with anyone else.
January 12, 1874, inside the Madrid Royal Palace.
Although Carlo has taken no action, this does not an that the Royalist Party forces and nobles supporting Carlo have no ideas.
Since the Spanish Revolution, Pri Minister Primó’s control over pri ministerial power has lasted five years. As the largest power class in Spain, it is impossible for the nobles to have no opposition whatsoever.
It was only because Carlo had always supported Pri Minister Primó’s reforms, and at the ti the Spanish royal power was unstable—whether the nobles could even exist was in question—that Spain has remained peaceful until now.
But things are different now. Carlo’s royal power is already quite stable and even poses a threat to Pri Minister Primó’s pri ministerial power. In such a situation, the nobles naturally want to use Carlo to achieve their own purposes, at least to ensure that the nobles possess the power they deserve, right?
The Madrid Royal Palace is very lively today. These nobles seem to have coordinated in advance, arriving together to seek an audience with Carlo.
These nobles seeking audience are generally great nobles of duke rank or above; naturally, Carlo cannot refuse to see them.
“Your Majesty!” A group of grand dukes and dukes arrived in the palace’s banquet hall with great montum, appearing very respectful as they saluted Carlo.
Carlo nodded indifferently, his gaze turning to these familiar or unfamiliar nobles, expressionless and silent.
“Your Majesty.” Finally, one noble could not hold back, stood up, and spoke: “Next month is the Cabinet Governnt election. Has Pri Minister Primó confird his candidacy?”
Carlo’s gaze turned to the noble who spoke, his expression as cold as ever: “What? Do you have an opinion on Pri Minister Primó’s candidacy?”
Anyone who pays attention to Spain’s political situation knows that Pri Minister Primó’s attitude at the governnt annual work report eting was already very clear: he intends to run for the next Cabinet Pri Minister position.
The nobles’ joint arrival clearly is not just to inquire whether Pri Minister Primó is running, but they have other ideas.
The noble who was asked hurriedly shook his head; he dared not admit to such a thing: “I am rely curious about Pri Minister Primó’s attitude, after all, there is less than a month until the next Cabinet Governnt election.”
Carlo looked at these nobles; how could he not know what they were thinking? But Spain’s developnt cannot do without a stable environnt; at least for now, the Spanish Governnt still needs Pri Minister Primó.
“Do you not know the summary report of the first Five-Year Plan? The second Five-Year Plan plays a transitional role and is extrely important for Spain.
Pri Minister Primó, who proposed the first Five-Year Plan, is the most suitable person to launch the second Five-Year Plan. For present-day Spain, Pri Minister Primó is the most qualified candidate for Pri Minister, without question.” Carlo’s gaze swept over the nobles, then he continued on his own: “
Whoever delays Spain’s developnt is a sinner of Spain. At this mont, my goal and Pri Minister Primó’s are one and the sa: to strive for Spain’s revival.”
So nobles were puzzled, but others had already understood the deeper aning hidden in Carlo’s words.
Looking at Cánovas, who was nodding subtly, Carlo rarely smiled and said: “Minister Cánovas, your work in the Agricultural Departnt during this ti has been very effective.
I will recomnd to Pri Minister Primó that you serve as Minister of Industry in the new Cabinet Governnt, making a greater contribution to Spain’s developnt.”
Hearing Carlo’s sudden words, Cánovas hurriedly stepped forward, saluting Carlo with a noble’s courtesy very respectfully, and said with excitent on his face: “Thank you, Your Majesty. Cánovas will continue to strive for You, the Royal Family, and Spain’s future.”
Cánovas was not famous at this ti, but in history, he was also quite renowned. Cánovas’s full na is Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, the renowned Spanish politician and writer.
As a Conservative, Cánovas opposed constitutional monarchy, believing that the King is not a governnt tool established according to national legal consciousness, but the legitimate ruler of the country, Spain’s great and supre monarch.
It was precisely because of such views that in history, during the Provisional Governnt, Amadeo’s rule, and the Republic period, Cánovas was not given heavy responsibilities.
It was not until Alfonso XII’s restoration that Cánovas rose to beco Pri Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, successively serving as Pri Minister of six Cabinet Governnts, with a total tenure exceeding 12 years.
Such a person is certainly no diocrity, and his ideology of supre royal power earned him heavy use by Alfonso XII.
However, in this world, Alfonso XII clearly has no chance. One could even say the Bourbon family has no opportunity in Spain at all, unless the House of Savoy produces several incompetent rulers in a row.
Cánovas’s response carried a strong ideology of supre royal power. The King cos first, the Royal Family second, and the country last.
Carlo also understood why Cánovas received such heavy use during Alfonso XII’s rule. Imagine a teenage young king, with most dostic forces supporting the Republic, yet receiving such adulation for supre royal power—who would not be elated and heavily employ the minister praising him?
Although Carlo was quite satisfied with Cánovas’s attitude of pledging loyalty, he would not show it on the surface. Looking at the very respectful Cánovas, Carlo continued: “As for your position as Minister of Agriculture, let Hovilliar take it over.
I support Pri Minister Primó’s continued candidacy for the next Cabinet Pri Minister. You and Hovilliar, as ministers of important positions in the Cabinet Governnt, must also support Pri Minister Primó’s policies more, working together to strive for Spain’s great revival.
Alright, that is all. As for the rest of you, you are not mbers of the House of Representatives; this Cabinet election has little to do with you, so disperse.”
Carlo does not intend to demand more power right now. Since Spain is still on the fast track of rapid developnt, the most important thing is naturally to advance Spain’s further developnt.
Only when the country becos stronger can Carlo’s throne be more secure, and the power in his hands greater.
This also ans that not only will Carlo not obstruct Pri Minister Primó’s candidacy; he will instead strongly support Pri Minister Primó’s continued re-election.
Whether these nobles can understand the aning beyond Carlo’s words depends on their comprehension.
The many nobles ca with great montum and left full of question marks.
Although they wanted to fight for more matters, it was clear that Carlo was not interested in the topics they wished to propose. Since Carlo had instructed everyone to disperse, the nobles did not dare linger in the Royal Palace and could only obediently bid farewell one by one.
However, the nobles gathered in twos and threes, their conversations with each other still filled with many questions, such as Carlo’s attitude.
Logically speaking, Carlo’s throne is already stable now; how could he still allow Primó to continue controlling the Pri Minister position?
Although the Cabinet Pri Minister is one below all others, if it is in Primó’s hands, it is uncertain who is below whom.
The nobles do not believe that Carlo is willing to continue staying under Primó’s authority as a figurehead king with little real power.
“Minister Cánovas, what do you think His Majesty really ans?” Beside Cánovas, a marquis asked the question he had been holding back for a long ti.
Cánovas smiled and replied to his friend: “Hasn’t His Majesty the King’s aning already been made very clear?”
“But is His Majesty the King really going to allow Primó to continue re-electing as Pri Minister? If Primó proposes more reforms targeting us in the next Five-Year Plan, must we keep retreating?” the marquis continued to ask.
The reason these nobles gathered to seek audience with Carlo was, of course, their worry that after re-election, Pri Minister Primó would continue to make things difficult for the nobles.
Previously, due to Primó’s reforms, many nobles had lost large amounts of land. Policies like land rent reduction had reduced nobles’ inco by at least one-fifth.
If Primó continues to hold office, his power will be even greater. If he continues targeting the nobles’ wallets, even nobles with deep foundations cannot withstand such ravaging.
“If Pri Minister Primó’s reforms are reasonable, then for Spain’s developnt, we naturally should make so sacrifices.
But if Pri Minister Primó’s reforms are just to target the nobles, do we not still control the Industry Departnt and Agricultural Departnt?
If it really cos to confrontation, how industry and agriculture are reford is not up to us to decide?” Cánovas said with a smile.
Carlo is not doing nothing either; promising the position of Minister of Industry to Cánovas and Minister of Agriculture to Hovilliar is the best example.
Industry and agriculture are, for Spain, the most important departnts after economy and national defense. Spain was originally an agricultural nation, so the importance of the Agricultural Departnt goes without saying.
And as one of the main sectors for Spain’s future developnt, the position of Minister of Industry is destined to earn enormous rit in the future.
Cánovas naturally understands Carlo’s purpose in appointing him as Minister of Industry: occupying this departnt with considerable authority can, first, check Pri Minister Primó to so extent; second, it partitions the enormous rit of the second Five-Year Plan, preparing for future ascension.
Yes, Cánovas is the successor candidate in Carlo’s plan after Pri Minister Primó’s term ends.
This is unavoidable, after all, there are too few political talents Carlo can use. Cánovas’s seniority is barely sufficient, and his loyalty is higher than that of Pri Minister Primó and Grand Duke Serrano.
“I say, old friend, although His Majesty the King said that, isn’t the appointnt power for Cabinet Ministers in Pri Minister Primó’s hands?
The Minister of Industry is an important position; will Pri Minister Primó agree to His Majesty the King’s proposal?” The marquis still had many questions; after all, the Industry Departnt is quite important in the Five-Year Plan, even the key developnt departnt for Spain, without question.
The rit a Minister of Industry can obtain is absolutely the most among Cabinet Ministers; would Pri Minister Primó let such a position go to Carlo for nothing?
“Our Pri Minister will of course agree.” Cánovas smiled and nodded, a hint of deep aning in his eyes: “Of course, I more hope he will not agree.”
Looking at his sowhat stunned companion, Cánovas smiled and walked with the crowd toward the outside of the Royal Palace.
The Cabinet Governnt election has not yet begun, and Pri Minister Primó still controls imnse power.
Pri Minister Primó is, of course, aware of the many nobles going together to the Royal Palace to seek audience with Carlo. Although he does not know what the nobles discussed with Carlo, their purpose is not hard to guess.
Compared to Primó, who carries out reforms encroaching on noble interests, the nobles certainly hope for a more conservative figure who will not strike at the nobles to beco Pri Minister of the new Cabinet Governnt.
At this ti, the only one who can threaten Pri Minister Primó’s re-election is Spain’s King Carlo; that is the reason the nobles sought audience with Carlo.
However, Pri Minister Primó ultimately shook his head. Through this period of contact, he believes he understands Carlo quite well.
No matter how one thinks, Carlo will not step forward to block his re-election. Moreover, currently, the Spanish King’s power really does not qualify to block Pri Minister Primó’s re-election, unless Carlo disregards opposition and dissolves Parliant.
But that is even more impossible. Spain’s situation has already tended toward stability; dissolving Parliant at this ti would be like throwing a boulder into a calm lake.
It would even be disadvantageous to Carlo himself; a king who dissolves Parliant without any reason—is that not a manifestation of absolutism?
The previous Queen Isabella who pursued monarchy was already cursed bloody by Spaniards. If Carlo shows monarchical tendencies, even if he previously won Spaniards’ favor, it may still arouse Spaniards’ anger again.
Shaking his head to himself, Pri Minister Primó began to focus on reviewing the developnt reports successively submitted by the regional governnts to the Cabinet Governnt, and conceiving the second Five-Year Developnt Plan in his mind.
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