The eighth government of Francisco Franco was formed on 30 October 1969, after the latter had sacked 13 out of 18 of his ministersâÂÂin what was to become the largest cabinet reshuffle in the whole Francoist periodâÂÂas a result of internal divisions between the various factions within the National Movement and the unveiling of the Matesa scandal earlier that year. It succeeded the seventh Franco government and was the government of Spain from 30 October 1969 to 12 June 1973, a total of days, or .
Franco's eighth cabinet was made up of members from the different factions or "families" within the National Movement: mainly the FET y de las JONS partyâÂÂthe only legal political party during the Francoist regimeâÂÂthe military, the Opus Dei and the National Catholic Association of Propagandists (ACNP), as well as a number of aligned-nonpartisan technocrats or figures from the civil service. It would be the last government under the direct control of Franco, as he would give up the post of prime minister to his deputy Luis Carrero Blanco on 9 June 1973.
The Council of Ministers was structured into the offices for the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and 19 ministries, including two ministers without portfolio.
Francisco Franco's eighth government was organised into several superior and governing units, whose number, powers and hierarchical structure varied depending on the ministerial department.