In 2025 Spain will reflect on the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco’s death. Therefore, the government has launched a series of commemorative events titled Spain in Freedom. However, the initiative has sparked controversy, with opposition parties and the absence of King Felipe VI from the inaugural event drawing criticism.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez inaugurated the first of over 100 planned events at the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid. These events aim to highlight Spain’s transformation since Franco died in 1975, emphasising economic, social, cultural, and political progress. The government seeks to honour the individuals and institutions that contributed to these changes while educating younger generations about the realities of life under dictatorship.
Key to these commemorations is a focus on historical education. A 2022 study revealed significant gaps in Spanish youths’ understanding of their country’s history, with knowledge of the Holocaust surpassing awareness of Franco’s repression. The government hopes the events will address this imbalance.
Political divides
The commemorations have not been without controversy. Both the conservative Popular Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party declined to participate. They criticised the initiative before its details were even disclosed. Vox dismissed the events as “absurd necrophilia,” while PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused Sánchez of focusing on the past to bolster his own political profile. “It’s more important to oppose living dictators than those who are long dead,” Feijóo remarked, referencing Venezuela.
The absence of King Felipe VI from Wednesday’s event has also been a focal point. While the King had prior commitments with newly appointed ambassadors, he is expected to attend future commemorations, including visits to former Nazi concentration camps where Spanish exiles were imprisoned. The decision to involve the emeritus King Juan Carlos I remains under discussion.
Coordinated efforts
To ensure the commemorations’ success, the government has appointed historian Carmina Gustrán Loscos as a special commissioner. Supported by a scientific committee comprising renowned historians and sociologists, Gustrán will oversee the events. The Secretary of State for Democratic Memory, Fernando Martínez, will coordinate efforts across government ministries.
This initiative aligns with similar democratic milestones celebrated by European nations. The government also plans to commemorate Spain’s first democratic elections in 2027 and the adoption of its Constitution in 2028.
Educating future generations
The events are designed to bridge historical knowledge gaps and foster a deeper understanding of Spain’s journey from dictatorship to democracy. Invited attendees include intellectuals, associations, and union leaders, though business federation CEOE has cited scheduling conflicts for its absence.
In the midst of the controversy, the government urges critics to reconsider their stance. “Recognising our democratic achievements is not about division; it’s about unity and progress,” a government spokesperson stated.
Franco and Spain
Francisco Franco ruled Spain as a military dictator from 1939, following his victory in the Spanish Civil War, until his death in 1975. His regime, characterised by authoritarianism and repression, suppressed political opposition, trade unions, and regional identities, particularly in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Franco’s government enforced strict Catholic values, censorship, and centralised control, often employing violence and imprisonment to silence dissent.
Economically, Spain was isolated in the post-World War II years, but the 1950s and 60s saw industrial growth and tourism development, often referred to as the “Spanish Miracle.” Socially, the regime left deep scars, with families divided and victims of the Civil War and dictatorship often unacknowledged.
The transition to democracy after Franco’s death was marked by the Pacto del Olvido (“Pact of Forgetting”). This sought to avoid revisiting past conflicts. This approach, while stabilising, left unresolved tensions about historical memory. Today debates around Franco’s legacy, exhumation of victims, and recognition of historical injustices continue to shape Spanish society and politics, influencing issues like regional autonomy and national identity.