Spain Observes Half-Century Mark of Franco's Passing
Spain has observed the 50th anniversary of Franco's passing with an lack of state ceremonies but with a message from the government leader to understand the warnings of the dictatorship and safeguard democratic rights that was wrenched from us for generations.
Past Events
Franco, whose military coup against the legitimate government in 1936 triggered a civil war and resulted in forty years of authoritarian rule, died in Madrid on 20 November 1975.
Despite the government has organised a year-long series of programs to observe the post-Franco transformation, it declined government events on the exact day of the dictator's death to prevent claims that it was trying to honor his death.
Current Issues
The commemoration occurs during growing worries about the lack of knowledge about the repressive era, notably within younger generations.
Research findings has shown that over one-fifth of respondents felt the Franco era was good or very good, while another study found almost a quarter of youth population felt that an c authoritarian government could occasionally be better to a democratic government.
Official Position
All democratic systems have flaws, the leader stated. Considerable work lies ahead to build the desired nation and that we can be: a country with enhanced prospects; more rights and less inequality.
The government official, who deliberately avoided mentioning Franco by name, also commented that liberties weren't automatically granted, adding that today's freedoms had been secured by the determination and resilience of the Spanish people.
Historical Memory Efforts
The government has used remembrance laws introduced three years ago to try to help Spain address historical events.
- Renaming the historical site – once named the Valley of the Fallen
- Developing a registry of assets taken by the government
- Working to strip Spain the remaining emblems of the era
Organization Shutdown Attempts
The authorities are presently in the final stages of its attempts to shut down the dictatorship foundation, which operates to maintain and promote the dictator's legacy.
The culture minister announced that his ministry was attempting to ensure that the dictator's documents – presently held by the institution – was handed over to the state so it could be open to the public.
Political Opposition
The right-wing political group is rejecting the administration's program to mark five decades of freedom, as is the right-wing political organization, which rejected the initiative an morbid fascination that divides Spaniards.
Past Consequences
Numerous citizens perished in the civil war, while hundreds of thousands more were forced into exile.
Punitive measures extended extensively following the war in 1939, and the bodies of more than 100,000 people killed during the war and in its aftereffects are estimated to lie in anonymous burial sites.
Government Transformation
After the dictator's death, Spain began the transformation to representative government, conducting democratic voting in the late seventies and approving a new constitution in a referendum the following year.
