Debates about the past have flared up again in Spain: more than 21% of citizens believe that the Franco era was a period of benefit for the country. These findings come from a recent study conducted in the anniversary year of the dictator’s death. At the same time, two-thirds of respondents are convinced that period was rather tragic for Spain.
Interestingly, rejection of the dictatorship is much stronger among women than men. This year, authorities have organized numerous events to highlight the changes that have taken place over the past 50 years. As it turns out, Spanish society still has not reached a consensus about its past.
Looking at political preferences, nearly 36% of supporters of the Partido Popular see positive aspects in the dictatorship, while among Vox voters this figure rises to 42%. Meanwhile, over 80% of those who support the socialists view the Franco regime negatively. The gap between left- and right-wing opinions reaches nearly 60 percentage points.
Age also plays a significant role: among young people aged 18 to 24, almost one in five consider the Franco era to have been good for the country. However, the proportion holding this view increases with age, though the majority still tend towards a negative assessment.
When it comes to comparing modern democracy with the past, almost three-quarters of respondents are confident that the current system is better. However, about 17% believe that democracy is inferior to dictatorship. Young people and right-wing party supporters are particularly critical of today’s Spain: among the youth and Vox voters, dissatisfaction with democracy is especially high.
Debates continue in parliament: far-right representatives claim that through social media, young people are exposed to an ‘alternative’ version of history, where the postwar years are described as a time of development and reconciliation. Historians, on the other hand, are raising the alarm over the spread of distorted interpretations of the past, which are increasingly appearing online and on popular video platforms.
Meanwhile, Franco supporters continue to actively oppose the memory law, organizing essay contests about the dictator and publishing materials that justify the regime. Online, there are videos presenting the events of the Civil War and the dictatorship in a distorted light, raising concerns among historians.
