Spain Reflects on Franco's Legacy: A Call to Remember and Defend Democracy

Spain has commemorated the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco's death with a notable absence of official events. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, however, emphasized the importance of learning from the dictatorship era and safeguarding the democratic freedoms that were taken away for so many years. Franco, whose military coup against the elected republican government in 1936 ignited a civil war, ruled Spain with an iron fist for four decades before his death in Madrid on November 20, 1975. In an effort to avoid accusations of glorifying the dictatorship, the socialist government has chosen not to organize any state acts on the actual anniversary of his death, despite previously arranging a year-long series of events to highlight Spain's journey post-Franco. This anniversary arises amidst alarming trends; many younger Spaniards are reportedly unfamiliar with the dictatorship's history. Recent polling indicates that over 21% of respondents viewed the Franco era positively, and a separate survey found that nearly a quarter of individuals aged 18 to 28 believe an authoritarian regime might sometimes be preferable to democracy. In an editorial for the online publication El Diario, Sánchez extolled Spain’s nearly unparalleled democratic transformation over the past half-century, pointing out that the nation has transitioned from a repressive regime to a robust democracy, and from a poor, insular country to a prosperous global player. However, Sánchez, notably avoiding a direct mention of Franco, reminded the public that democracy is not a gift but a result of the determination and resilience of the Spanish people. He acknowledged the imperfections within democracy stating, "No democracy, including ours, is perfect. Much remains to be done to forge the Spain we desire and can achieve: a place of more opportunities, more rights, and less inequality." Sánchez urged citizens to be aware of the challenges ahead and the necessity of protecting the freedoms that were forcibly taken from them. In this moment, when some might idealize authoritarian regimes, he stressed the need for a commitment to defending the hard-won democratic liberties. The government is using historical memory legislation enacted three years ago to aid Spain's reconciliation with its past. This includes changing the name of the Valley of Cuelgamuros, previously known as the Valley of the Fallen—where Franco's remains rested for 44 years—to a site of memory. Additionally, there are efforts underway to catalog the assets appropriated by the regime and to eliminate the last remnants of Francoist symbols from Spain's cultural landscape. Another significant endeavor is the potential closure of the Francisco Franco National Foundation, which aims to uphold and advocate the legacy of the dictator. Following an interview with state broadcaster RTVE, Culture Minister Miquel Iceta indicated that they are working to ensure that Franco’s official archive, currently held by the foundation, is handed over to the state. This would allow access to the documents encapsulating the dictatorship's repressive history, which Iceta asserted belong to the public and deserve to be part of Spain’s collective memory. Ernest Urtasun, a representative from the Culture Ministry, mentioned that they have already compiled an inventory of approximately 30,000 documents in Franco's archive and confirmed their status as public documents pertaining to the former leader’s role as head of state. Efforts are ongoing to reclaim these archives for researchers and the public as crucial historical records of repression. Nonetheless, the opposition, particularly the conservative People’s Party and the far-right Vox party, has distanced itself from the government’s initiative intended to celebrate 50 years of democracy, disparaging the program as a divisive act akin to "absurd necrophilia." The ramifications of the civil war were devastating; over 500,000 individuals are estimated to have died, and countless others were forced into exile. Repressive actions continued long after Franco's triumph in 1939, with the bodies of over 100,000 victims said to lie in unmarked graves. Following Franco's death, Spain marked a critical turning point, initiating its transition back to democracy with its inaugural free elections in 1977 and adopting a new constitution in a referendum the subsequent year. As Spain navigates its complex historical legacy, the reflections on Franco’s era serve as a poignant reminder of the value of democracy and the continuous fight against the tides of authoritarian sentiment. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2