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Spain has commemorated the half-century mark of Franco's passing with an absence of official events but with a message from the government leader to learn from the history of the authoritarian regime and protect democratic liberties that was wrenched from us for generations.

Past Events

Franco, whose rebellion against the democratically elected administration in 1936 led to internal warfare and resulted in forty years of repressive regime, succumbed in Madrid on November 20, 1975.

Although the socialist government has planned a twelve-month program of events to mark the post-Franco transformation, it avoided official ceremonies on the exact day of the ruler's demise to avoid accusations that it was seeking to celebrate his death.

Present-Day Worries

The commemoration occurs during growing worries about the limited understanding about the dictatorship, particularly among the youth.

Survey data has revealed that more than 21% of respondents felt the dictatorship period was favorable or highly favorable, while another study found approximately one-fourth of youth population 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 build the desired nation and that we can be: a country with enhanced prospects; expanded liberties and diminished inequity.

The premier, who consciously omitted naming Franco by name, also commented that democracy didn't fall from the sky, adding that current liberties had been achieved through perseverance and persistence of the population.

Historical Memory Efforts

The authorities have utilized remembrance laws passed in recent years to try to help Spain reconcile with history.

• Changing the location's designation – once named the Memorial Valley
• Creating a catalog of goods seized by the regime
• Seeking to eliminate the remaining emblems of the era

Organization Shutdown Attempts

The authorities are presently in the last phases of its attempts to shut down the Franco legacy organization, which operates to maintain and support the regime's heritage.

The cultural affairs official stated that his department was seeking to make sure that the historical records – currently in the possession of the foundation – was handed over to the state so it could be open to the public.

Political Opposition

The opposition conservative People's party is boycotting the government's initiative to mark five decades of freedom, as is the right-wing political organization, which called the effort an absurd necrophilia that splits the population.

Past Consequences

Numerous citizens died during the conflict, while countless additional people were compelled to leave.

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 aftermath are believed to be in unmarked mass graves.

Democratic Transition

After the dictator's death, Spain started the journey back to democracy, conducting democratic voting in that period and ratifying a fresh charter in a national vote subsequently.