Manuel Fraga founds Alianza Popular in 1976

In 1976, Manuel Fraga founded Alianza Popular following a political disagreement with Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez. The move was triggered by Suárez offering Fraga the presidency of the Competition Tribunal, which Fraga viewed as an attempt at political retirement.

Fraga aimed to establish a party following a liberal-conservative line, described as “populist, centrist, and conservative.” The organization grew from his initial group, Reforma Democrática, which had 16,000 members across Spain by 1976. The party's development faced challenges after Fraga expressed support for the medium-term legalization of the PCE, a stance that caused friction with the political right.