General Franco becomes head of the counter government

Although there is still no decisive military outcome in the Spanish Civil War, the nationalistic putschists declare General Francisco Franco to be the new Spanish head of government on 1 October 1936. The counter government to the legitimate Popular Front government in Madrid is set up in Burgos. Initially it is recognised only by Germany and Italy. Franco’s first attempt to capture the Spanish capital city will fail a short time later.

© Fundación nacional Francisco Franco Franco and the assembly of nationalists which elected him the head of government of the new national state