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Spain has marked the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco's death with an lack of state ceremonies but with a statement by the premier to learn from the history of the dictatorship and protect democratic liberties that was wrenched from us for so many years.

Past Events

Franco, whose rebellion against the legitimate government in 1936 triggered a civil war and resulted in forty years of dictatorship, succumbed in Madrid on the twentieth of November, 1975.

While the current administration has organised a year-long series of events to mark the political evolution, it declined government events on the actual anniversary of the ruler's demise to avoid accusations that it was trying to honor his death.

Contemporary Concerns

The marking happens alongside growing worries about the lack of knowledge about the dictatorship, especially among younger Spaniards.

Survey data has shown that more than 21% of participants felt the Franco regime was favorable or highly favorable, while another study found almost a quarter of Spaniards aged 18 to 28 felt that an non-democratic system could in certain circumstances be superior to a democratic system.

Official Position

No democracy – including ours – is perfect, the prime minister wrote. Significant progress is needed to build the desired nation and that we can be: a country with enhanced prospects; expanded liberties and diminished inequity.

The premier, who pointedly did not refer Franco by name, also observed that democracy didn't fall from the sky, adding that current liberties had been obtained via resilience and fortitude of citizens.

Historical Memory Efforts

The administration has employed commemoration statutes introduced three years ago to support the country reconcile with history.

• Redesignating the Valley of Cuelgamuros – previously known as the Memorial Valley
• Compiling an inventory of assets taken by the government
• Attempting to remove the final remnants of dictatorship imagery

Foundation Closure Efforts

The administration is currently in the last phases of its efforts to close the Francisco Franco National Foundation, which functions to uphold and advance the leader's memory.

The cultural affairs official declared that his office was working to ensure that the dictator's documents – presently held by the organization – was handed over to the state so it could be accessed by all Spaniards.

Political Opposition

The opposition conservative People's party is boycotting the government's initiative to celebrate 50 years of democracy, as is the conservative faction, which dismissed the programme an unnecessary obsession that creates division among citizens.

Past Consequences

Numerous citizens died during the conflict, while hundreds of thousands more were forced into exile.

Retaliation persisted well after Franco's victory in 1939, and the remains of numerous victims who died in the conflict and in its consequences are believed to be in unmarked mass graves.

Government Transformation

After the dictator's death, Spain began the transformation to representative government, organizing open polls in the late seventies and adopting a modern framework in a national vote subsequently.