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Spain has commemorated the 50th anniversary of dictator Franco's demise with an absence of official events but with a call from the prime minister to learn from the history of the authoritarian regime and protect democratic liberties that was stolen for so many years.

Background History

The dictator, whose armed uprising against the elected republican government in 1936 led to internal warfare and ushered in generations of authoritarian rule, died in Madrid on November 20, 1975.

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

Current Issues

The commemoration occurs during increasing concerns about the limited understanding about the dictatorship, especially among younger Spaniards.

Research findings has revealed that over one-fifth of participants felt the dictatorship period was good or very good, while another study found almost a quarter of young Spanish adults felt that an authoritarian regime could in certain circumstances be superior to a democratic government.

Official Position

Every democracy has imperfections, the official noted. Significant progress is needed to forge the Spain we want and that we can be: a place of more opportunity; increased freedoms and reduced disparity.

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

Historical Memory Efforts

The administration has employed historical memory legislation passed in recent years to try to help Spain reconcile with history.

• Changing the location's designation – formerly called the Valley of the Deceased
• Creating a catalog of goods seized by the regime
• Working to strip Spain the final remnants of dictatorship imagery

Organization Shutdown Attempts

The government is also in the last phases of its attempts to shut down the Franco legacy organization, which exists to preserve and advance the leader's memory.

The culture minister declared that his office was working to guarantee that Franco's official archive – currently in the possession of the foundation – was handed over to the state so it could be open to the public.

Political Opposition

The right-wing political group is opposing the official commemoration to observe half-century of liberties, as is the far-right Vox party, which called the effort an unnecessary obsession that creates division among citizens.

Past Consequences

More than 500,000 people died during the conflict, while countless additional people were compelled to leave.

Punitive measures extended long after the conflict ended in 1939, and the bodies of more than 100,000 people killed during the war and in its consequences are estimated to lie in unmarked mass graves.

Democratic Transition

Following the leader's demise, Spain embarked on the transition toward democratic governance, conducting democratic voting in the late seventies and approving a new constitution in a public ballot afterward.