Spanish PM calls for nation to heed past lessons on anniversary of Franco’s death

Toñi García, a resident of Valencia, Spain, experienced devastating floods on October 29, 2024, following severe storms that brought unprecedented rainfall to the Iberian peninsula. Despite the national alert system activating at 8:30 PM, floodwaters had already infiltrated the city. Scientists have linked these intense downpours to climate change, highlighting the growing impact of environmental shifts on weather patterns.

Fifty years after Francisco Franco's death, his legacy continues to provoke debate in Spain. Memorabilia and portraits glorifying the dictator are still available in markets, attracting buyers, including youth. Controversial monuments from the Franco era remain in public spaces, prompting left-wing city councillors and victims' groups to demand their removal. The Spanish government plans to publish a list of symbols to be taken down, but activists argue this is inadequate to address historical injustices.

Fifty years after the death of dictator Francisco Franco, he remains a contentious figure in Spain. The government, led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, announced plans to publish a list of Francoist symbols still present in public spaces that require removal. FRANCE 24's Rochelle Ferguson Bouyahi examines Franco's legacy and the ongoing taboo surrounding this topic in Spain.

Fifty years after the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, there is a noticeable rise in support for far-right parties in Spain. This resurgence raises concerns about the ongoing struggle over the legacy of Franco's fascist regime and the implications for Spanish democracy.

Fifty years after the end of Franco's dictatorship, Spain continues to grapple with his legacy, as some segments of the population still valorize his rule. This ongoing struggle reflects a broader societal challenge in reconciling with a past marked by repression and division.

Patrick Ryan and Joseph Kelly, two leading cult interventionists based in Philadelphia, assist families in coaxing loved ones out of dangerous cults. They receive desperate calls from families whose members are involved with harmful groups, including a son following a guru in Spain and a wife investing life savings in a prophet in Australia. These families often turn to Ryan and Kelly after exhausting other options.

Events commemorating the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco's death aim to remind young Spaniards of the dangers of fascism. Franco's remains were relocated from the Valley of the Fallen to Mingorrubio cemetery, symbolizing a shift in how Spain confronts its past. The legacy of Franco continues to provoke division in Spanish society.

This week marks 50 years of Spanish democracy, yet there remains a significant lack of discourse regarding the crimes committed during Franco's dictatorship from 1939 to 1975. Many Spaniards, including the author, were born after Franco's death and grew up hearing mostly about the democratic transition that followed. The author reflects on her mother's experiences during the first free elections in 1977, highlighting a collective amnesia that leaves Spain vulnerable to repeating its dark past.