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Spain has observed the five-decade milestone of Francisco Franco's death with an lack of state ceremonies but with a call from the prime minister to learn from the history of the repressive era and safeguard democratic rights that was stolen for so many years.

Background History

The dictator, whose armed uprising against the elected republican government in 1936 sparked a civil conflict and brought about four decades of repressive regime, succumbed in Madrid on the twentieth of November, 1975.

Despite the government has planned a twelve-month program of events to mark the post-Franco transformation, it avoided official ceremonies on the actual anniversary of the ruler's demise to deter suggestions that it was attempting to glorify his death.

Current Issues

The commemoration occurs during increasing concerns about the lack of knowledge about the authoritarian period, particularly among the youth.

Recent polling has indicated that over one-fifth of participants felt the Franco regime was positive or excellent, while additional research found almost a quarter of young Spanish adults felt that an c authoritarian government could sometimes be preferable to a democratic one.

Official Position

Every democracy has imperfections, the official noted. Significant progress is needed to build the desired nation and that we can be: a nation with greater possibilities; expanded liberties and diminished inequity.

The government official, who consciously omitted naming Franco by name, also noted that liberties weren't automatically granted, stating that present-day rights had been obtained via resilience and fortitude of citizens.

Remembrance Programs

The administration has employed remembrance laws enacted recently to assist the nation reconcile with history.

• Redesignating the Valley of Cuelgamuros – once named the Valley of the Deceased
• Compiling an inventory of assets taken by the government
• Working to strip Spain the last vestiges of Francoist symbols

Institution Dissolution Process

The administration is currently in the last phases of its attempts to shut down the Franco legacy organization, which functions to uphold and advance the leader's memory.

The cultural affairs official stated that his ministry was attempting to ensure that the dictator's documents – now owned by the organization – was given to national authorities so it could be available to citizens.

Political Opposition

The main conservative opposition is opposing the official commemoration to observe half-century of liberties, as is the conservative faction, which rejected the initiative an unnecessary obsession that creates division among citizens.

Past Consequences

Numerous citizens died during the conflict, while countless additional people were made to flee the country.

Punitive measures extended extensively following the war in 1939, and the corpses of countless individuals who died in the conflict and in its aftereffects are believed to be in unmarked mass graves.

Political Evolution

Following the leader's demise, Spain began the transformation back to democracy, holding free elections in the late seventies and adopting a modern framework in a public ballot afterward.