Spain Marks Five-Decade Milestone of Francisco Franco's Death
Spain has observed the half-century mark of Franco's passing with an absence of official events but with a statement by the premier to heed the lessons of the authoritarian regime and defend democratic freedom that was stolen for so many years.
Background History
Franco, whose military coup against the democratically elected administration in 1936 led to internal warfare and resulted in forty years of dictatorship, succumbed in Madrid on November 20, 1975.
While the current administration has arranged an extended calendar of events to mark the post-Franco transformation, it declined government events on the exact day of the dictator's death to deter suggestions that it was attempting to glorify his death.
Current Issues
The commemoration occurs during rising apprehension about the lack of knowledge about the authoritarian period, especially among younger Spaniards.
Recent polling has shown that over one-fifth of respondents felt the Franco regime was good or very good, while further polling found nearly 25% of young Spanish adults felt that an c authoritarian government could sometimes be preferable to a democratic system.
Administration View
Every democracy has imperfections, the leader stated. Much remains to be done to forge the Spain we want and that we can be: a place of more opportunity; more rights and less inequality.
The national leader, who consciously omitted naming Franco by name, also noted that democracy didn't fall from the sky, stating that present-day rights had been achieved through perseverance and fortitude of citizens.
Remembrance Programs
The government has used historical memory legislation enacted recently to assist the nation reconcile with history.
- Redesignating the Valley of Cuelgamuros – formerly called the Memorial Valley
- Developing a registry of assets taken by the government
- Working to strip Spain the final remnants of dictatorship imagery
Foundation Closure Efforts
The administration is currently in the concluding steps of its attempts to shut down the Franco legacy organization, which functions to uphold and promote the dictator's legacy.
The heritage department head declared that his department was seeking to make sure that Franco's official archive – now owned by the organization – was handed over to the state so it could be accessed by all Spaniards.
Political Resistance
The opposition conservative People's party is rejecting the administration's program to observe half-century of liberties, as is the right-wing political organization, which called the effort an absurd necrophilia that divides Spaniards.
Past Consequences
Over half a million individuals lost their lives in the fighting, while countless additional people were forced into exile.
Punitive measures extended well after Franco's victory in 1939, and the corpses of countless individuals killed during the war and in its aftermath are thought to remain in unmarked mass graves.
Democratic Transition
After the dictator's death, Spain embarked on the transition back to democracy, conducting democratic voting in that period and adopting a modern framework in a national vote subsequently.
