thumb|13 April 1931 Heraldo de Madrid frontpage reporting the Republican victory On 12 April, the Republican coalition, short of winning a majority of councillors overall, won a sweeping majority in major cities in the 1931 municipal elections, which were perceived as a plebiscite on monarchy. The results shocked the government, with foreign minister Romanones admitting to the press an "absolute monarchist defeat" and Civil Guard honcho José Sanjurjo reportedly telling government ministers that, given circumstances, the Armed Forces could not be "absolutely" relied upon for the sustainment of the monarchy. Alfonso XIII fled the country and the Second Spanish Republic was peacefully proclaimed on 14 April 1931.
thumb|13 April 1931 Heraldo de Madrid frontpage reporting the Republican victory On 12 April the Republican coalition short of winning a majority of councillors overall won a sweeping majority in major cities in the 1931 municipal elections which were perceived as a plebiscite on monarchy The results shocked the government with foreign minister Romanones admitting to the press an "absolute monarchist defeat" and Civil Guard honcho José Sanjurjo reportedly telling government ministers that given circumstances the Armed Forces could not be "absolutely" relied upon for the sustainment of the monarchy Alfonso XIII fled the country and the Second Spanish Republic was peacefully proclaimed on 14 April 1931