Electoral Carlism (Restoration)

Electoral Carlism (Restoration) refers to the political activity and strategies employed by Carlists during the period of the Spanish Restoration (1874-1931) to achieve their aims through participation in the electoral process. The Carlist movement, traditionally advocating for a legitimist claim to the Spanish throne and espousing conservative and Catholic social principles, adapted its approach following the Third Carlist War (1872-1876). Faced with the impossibility of overthrowing the restored Bourbon monarchy of Alfonso XII through military means, a segment of Carlists opted to engage in parliamentary politics.

This electoral participation was not without internal division. Some Carlists, known as Apostólicos, remained steadfastly opposed to any form of cooperation with the liberal state and advocated for continued insurrection, while others, the Integristas, while unwilling to swear allegiance to the liberal constitution, saw tactical value in using parliament as a platform to express their views and challenge the established order. The dominant faction, led by figures like Cándido Nocedal, believed that representing Carlist ideas in the Cortes (Spanish Parliament) could further their cause, even if they refused to formally recognize the legitimacy of the government.

Carlist electoral success varied regionally and over time. They generally found support in areas with strong traditional Catholic and rural populations, particularly in the Basque Country, Navarre, and parts of Catalonia. Through parliamentary activity, Carlist deputies attempted to defend Catholic interests, promote regional fueros (historical privileges), and advocate for a return to traditional social and political structures. The effectiveness of this electoral strategy was limited by their relatively small size within the Cortes, but it allowed Carlism to maintain a presence in Spanish political life and propagate its ideology throughout the Restoration period. The reintegration of some Carlists into mainstream conservative politics eventually led to factions joining broader right-wing coalitions, impacting Spanish politics beyond the confines of the Carlist movement itself.