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Spain has observed the five-decade milestone of Franco's passing with an lack of state ceremonies but with a call from the prime minister to heed the lessons of the repressive era and defend democratic freedom that was taken away for so many years.

Background History

Franco, whose rebellion against the elected republican government in 1936 triggered a civil war and ushered in generations of dictatorship, died in Madrid on November 20, 1975.

While the current administration has planned a twelve-month program of activities to commemorate the democratic transition, it avoided official ceremonies on the exact day of the dictator's death to avoid accusations that it was seeking to celebrate his death.

Contemporary Concerns

The commemoration occurs during rising apprehension about the lack of knowledge about the authoritarian period, especially among younger Spaniards.

Recent polling has revealed that a significant portion of participants felt the Franco regime was positive or excellent, while further polling found almost a quarter of youth population felt that an c authoritarian government could sometimes be preferable to a democratic one.

Official Position

No democracy – including ours – is perfect, the official noted. 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 national leader, who pointedly did not refer Franco by name, also observed that freedom wasn't freely given, stating that today's freedoms had been obtained via resilience and fortitude of citizens.

Historical Memory Efforts

The government has used historical memory legislation passed in recent years to support the country reconcile with history.

• Renaming the historical site – once named the Valley of the Fallen
• Developing a registry of property confiscated during the era
• Attempting to remove the remaining emblems of the era

Institution Dissolution Process

The government is also in the final stages of its attempts to shut down the Franco legacy organization, which exists to preserve and support the regime's heritage.

The culture minister announced that his office was working to make sure that the dictator's documents – now owned by the foundation – was given to national authorities so it could be accessed by all Spaniards.

Partisan Objections

The main conservative opposition is rejecting the administration's program to mark five decades of freedom, as is the conservative faction, which dismissed the programme an morbid fascination that splits the population.

Past Consequences

Over half a million individuals died during the conflict, while numerous others were forced into exile.

Reprisals continued long after the conflict ended in 1939, and the bodies of more than 100,000 people who died in the conflict and in its aftereffects are thought to remain in unmarked mass graves.

Government Transformation

Following the leader's demise, Spain started the journey to representative government, holding free elections in the late seventies and adopting a modern framework in a national vote subsequently.