Spain Commemorates Half-Century Mark of Dictator Franco's Demise
Spain has marked the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco's death with an absence of official events but with a message from the government leader to heed the lessons of the authoritarian regime and defend democratic freedom that was stolen for so many years.
Past Events
The dictator, whose armed uprising against the elected republican government in 1936 triggered a civil war and ushered in generations of authoritarian rule, succumbed in Madrid on November 20, 1975.
Despite the government has planned a twelve-month program of activities to commemorate the democratic transition, it avoided official ceremonies on the exact day of the dictator's death to avoid accusations that it was attempting to glorify his death.
Contemporary Concerns
The commemoration occurs during rising apprehension about the lack of knowledge about the dictatorship, notably within younger generations.
Research findings has shown that more than 21% of those surveyed felt the Franco regime was favorable or highly favorable, while another study found approximately one-fourth of young Spanish adults felt that an non-democratic system could sometimes be preferable to a democratic government.
Government Perspective
No democracy – including ours – is perfect, the official noted. Much remains to be done to create the preferred country and that we can be: a nation with greater possibilities; expanded liberties and diminished inequity.
The national leader, who deliberately avoided mentioning Franco by name, also observed that freedom wasn't freely given, adding that present-day rights had been secured by the determination and fortitude of citizens.
Historical Memory Efforts
The government has used historical memory legislation enacted recently to assist the nation reconcile with history.
- Renaming the historical site – previously known as the Memorial Valley
- Creating a catalog of property confiscated during the era
- Seeking to eliminate the final remnants of dictatorship imagery
Organization Shutdown Attempts
The administration is currently in the last phases of its efforts to close the Francisco Franco National Foundation, which exists to preserve and support the regime's heritage.
The heritage department head declared that his department was seeking to guarantee that the dictator's documents – now owned by the institution – was given to national authorities so it could be open to the public.
Partisan Objections
The opposition conservative People's party is opposing the official commemoration to mark five decades of freedom, as is the right-wing political organization, which called the effort an absurd necrophilia that creates division among citizens.
Historical Impact
More than 500,000 people perished in the civil war, while countless additional people were forced into exile.
Punitive measures extended long after the conflict ended in 1939, and the bodies of more than 100,000 people who died in the conflict and in its aftereffects are thought to remain in unidentified collective tombs.
Democratic Transition
After the dictator's death, Spain embarked on the transition to representative government, organizing open polls in that period and approving a new constitution in a public ballot afterward.
