Spain Marks Five-Decade Milestone of Francisco Franco's Death
Spain has marked the five-decade milestone of Francisco Franco's death with an absence of official events but with a statement by the premier to heed the lessons of the repressive era and defend democratic freedom that was stolen for so many years.
Background History
Franco, whose military coup against the elected republican government in 1936 triggered a civil war and resulted in forty years of repressive regime, died in Madrid on 20 November 1975.
Despite the government has organised a year-long series of events to mark the post-Franco transformation, it declined government events on the actual anniversary of the leader's passing to avoid accusations that it was seeking to celebrate his death.
Contemporary Concerns
The anniversary comes amid rising apprehension about the insufficient awareness about the authoritarian period, particularly among the youth.
Recent polling has indicated that over one-fifth of respondents felt the dictatorship period was favorable or highly favorable, while another study found almost a quarter of young Spanish adults felt that an c authoritarian government could sometimes be preferable to a democratic government.
Official Position
All democratic systems have flaws, the official noted. Considerable work lies ahead to forge the Spain we want and that we can be: a nation with greater possibilities; increased freedoms and reduced disparity.
The national leader, who consciously omitted naming Franco by name, also commented that freedom wasn't freely given, stating that present-day rights had been achieved through perseverance and resilience of the Spanish people.
Historical Memory Efforts
The government has used historical memory legislation introduced three years ago to support the country reconcile with history.
- Renaming the historical site – formerly called the Valley of the Fallen
- Developing a registry of property confiscated during the era
- Working to strip Spain the final remnants of dictatorship imagery
Foundation Closure Efforts
The government is also in the last phases of its initiatives to dissolve the dictatorship foundation, which operates to maintain and advance the leader's memory.
The culture minister declared that his department was seeking to guarantee that the historical records – presently held by the organization – was given to national authorities so it could be open to the public.
Political Resistance
The main conservative opposition is opposing the official commemoration to observe half-century of liberties, as is the far-right Vox party, which rejected the initiative an morbid fascination that splits the population.
Historical Legacy
Numerous citizens lost their lives in the fighting, while hundreds of thousands more were made to flee the country.
Retaliation persisted well after Franco's victory in 1939, and the remains of numerous victims who perished in the violence and in its consequences are estimated to lie in anonymous burial sites.
Political Evolution
Following the leader's demise, Spain began the transformation to representative government, holding free elections in 1977 and approving a new constitution in a public ballot afterward.
