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Spain has commemorated the five-decade milestone of dictator Franco's demise with an lack of state ceremonies but with a message from the government leader to learn from the history of the authoritarian regime and protect democratic liberties that was taken away for so many years.

Background History

Franco, whose military coup against the democratically elected administration in 1936 sparked a civil conflict and ushered in generations of dictatorship, passed away in Madrid on 20 November 1975.

While the current administration has organised a year-long series of programs to observe the democratic transition, it ruled out any state acts on the exact day of the leader's passing to deter suggestions that it was seeking to celebrate his death.

Present-Day Worries

The anniversary comes amid increasing concerns about the insufficient awareness about the repressive era, especially among younger Spaniards.

Research findings has shown that a significant portion of respondents felt the Franco era was positive or excellent, while additional research found nearly 25% of young Spanish adults felt that an c authoritarian government could occasionally be better to a democratic one.

Administration View

Every democracy has imperfections, the official noted. Significant progress is needed to create the preferred country and that we can be: a country with enhanced prospects; increased freedoms and reduced disparity.

The premier, who pointedly did not refer Franco by name, also commented that freedom wasn't freely given, emphasizing that current liberties had been obtained via resilience and persistence of the population.

Historical Memory Efforts

The administration has employed remembrance laws introduced three years ago to try to help Spain reconcile with history.

• Redesignating the Valley of Cuelgamuros – once named the Memorial Valley
• Developing a registry of assets taken by the government
• Working to strip Spain the last vestiges of Francoist symbols

Institution Dissolution Process

The government is also in the last phases of its initiatives to dissolve the Francisco Franco National Foundation, which functions to uphold and promote the dictator's legacy.

The culture minister declared that his office was working to guarantee that the historical records – now owned by the foundation – was handed over to the state so it could be open to the public.

Political Opposition

The opposition conservative People's party is rejecting the administration's program to celebrate 50 years of democracy, as is the far-right Vox party, which dismissed the programme an unnecessary obsession that splits the population.

Past Consequences

More than 500,000 people died during the conflict, while hundreds of thousands more were made to flee the country.

Retaliation persisted 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 thought to remain in unidentified collective tombs.

Political Evolution

Subsequent to the ruler's passing, Spain began the transformation to representative government, holding free elections in 1977 and approving a new constitution in a national vote subsequently.