The Parliament of Cantabria has approved the initiation of legislative procedures to repeal the region’s Historical and Democratic Memory Law.
The Historical Memory Law (Ley de Memoria Histórica) was enacted by Spain’s former socialist government in 2007 under Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Its main purpose was to recognise and provide reparations to the victims of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the Franco dictatorship (1939-1975).
The law sought to condemn the atrocities committed by the Franco regime, remove Francoist symbols from public spaces, and offer support to families in recovering the remains of those buried in unmarked graves. It aimed to promote justice, reconciliation, and historical memory, ensuring that Spain acknowledges its past and the suffering of those who were repressed.
Opposition
The decision to repeal the law, led by the Popular Party (PP) and Vox, moves forward despite opposition from the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the Regionalist Party of Cantabria (PRC), which have vowed to pass a new law should they regain parliamentary majority.
PP and Vox push for urgent repeal
In a highly anticipated session on Monday, PP and Vox managed to push through the consideration of the bill to repeal the Historical Memory Law, originally passed in the previous legislature by a coalition of PRC and PSOE. The legislative process, now fast-tracked under emergency procedures, aims to halve the time it will take to officially dismantle the law.
This repeal aligns with similar actions in other regions, including Aragón, Castilla y León, and Valencia. There, local governments, under PP and Vox leadership, have begun dismantling their own versions of the Historical Memory Law. The law, which aims to honour the victims of Spain’s dictatorship and civil war, has been the subject of polarising political debate across the country.
Defending “better coexistence”
PP deputy Iñigo Fernández defended the decision to repeal the law, arguing that “better coexistence” can be achieved without it. Fernández criticised the way the law was passed in 2021, claiming it lacked consensus and was forced through by PSOE. He further accused the law of creating a hierarchy among victims of the Spanish Civil War. In his view the law only recognises those who opposed the military coup. The law also only provides funding for historical memory associations that represented one side of the conflict.
For Fernández, repealing the law is “a step in defence of freedoms and democratic institutions.” Furthermore, he expressed willingness to discuss a new law built on consensus. Something he claims was missing when the original law was passed.
Vox: “An instrument of division”
Vox’s parliamentary spokesperson, Leticia Díaz, also voiced strong support for the repeal. She argued that the current law fosters “rancour and division” between Spaniards. According to Díaz, other regions have repealed similar laws in favour of “reconciliation” laws. These aim to honour the memory of all victims, regardless of which side they were on during Spain’s civil war.
Díaz criticised the existing law for presenting a “sectarian” view of history. Additionally it is an “instrument to divide society,” pitting Spaniards against each other with a narrative of “good versus bad.” She claimed the law imposes a restricted version of history promoted by the socialists and undermines political and intellectual freedoms.
PRC and PSOE promise a new law
In response, PRC and PSOE voted against the repeal. Meanwhile, they promised to introduce a new version of the law if they return to power. They argue that the current law serves an important role in recognising the victims of Spain’s troubled past. Furthermore, the law promotes historical justice. Both parties have criticised the move by PP and Vox as an attempt to undermine the progress made towards historical memory and reconciliation.
Also read: UN experts call on Spain to protect historical memory from PP and Vox