King Juan Carlos I began his reign as head of state without leaving the confines of Franco's legal system. As such, he swore fidelity to the Principles of the "Movimiento Nacional" (National Movement), the political system of the Franco era; took possession of the crown before the Francoist "Cortes Españolas"; and respected the Organic Law of the State for the appointment of his first head of government. Only in his speech before the "Cortes" did he indicate his support for a transformation of the Spanish political system.