Historians and political philosophers are divided over the spanish government’s decision to commemorate the 50th anniversary of democracy starting from the death of dictator Francisco Franco. While ther is a consensus on celebrating the arrival of democracy, debates arise regarding the past importance of the chosen date. Critics, including members of the opposition and right-leaning intellectuals, argue that the government is politicizing Franco’s legacy, labeling the initiative as “witch hunts around Franco.” The main contention lies in whether to mark 1975 as the beginning of democracy, given that repression continued until key reforms and the first democratic elections in 1977. Historian Nicolás Sesma, author of the acclaimed book Ni una, ni grande, ni libre. La dictadura franquista, supports the commemoration, viewing it as a recognition of the transition to freedom following Franco’s death.In a recent debate over Spain’s historical commemorations, historian Nicolás Sesma from the University of Grenoble-Alpes defended the decision to mark the 50th anniversary of dictator Francisco Franco’s death in 2025, arguing it reflects a complex transition rather than a clear-cut break from the past. Contrastingly,former politician Guillermo Gortázar criticized the government’s plans as polarizing,asserting that the true restoration of freedom began in 1976 with political reforms and subsequent elections in 1977. This clash of perspectives highlights the ongoing struggle in Spain to reconcile its historical narrative and the implications of commemorating its past.In a recent discussion on Spain’s democratic evolution, former politician and historian Mercedes Cabrera emphasized the importance of commemorating the end of the Franco dictatorship, marking 1975 as a pivotal year in the nation’s transition to democracy. Cabrera argues that acknowledging this historical moment is essential for fostering a deeper understanding of Spain’s past, particularly given the lingering ignorance surrounding it. She highlights that while the transition began prior to Franco’s death, his passing was a crucial catalyst for the democratic process that followed. As Spain reflects on its journey, Cabrera calls for continued efforts to reconcile with its complex history, underscoring the significance of education in shaping a more informed society.The ongoing debate surrounding Spain’s historical memory and the legacy of Franco’s dictatorship has intensified, with political figures like Nicolás Sesma criticizing the popular Party (PP) for its reluctance to engage in commemorations. Sesma argues that this avoidance reflects a failure to establish a clear stance against the dictatorship, possibly leaving the PP caught between the nostalgic views of Vox and the stronger anti-Franco sentiments from leftist parties. Philosopher Javier Gomá emphasizes the importance of recognizing democracy as a hard-won achievement, cautioning against the misconception that it is an eternal state. He advocates for a normalized discourse on Spain’s past, urging a collective understanding of the significance of the transition to democracy.As Spain reflects on its democratic evolution, historians emphasize the importance of understanding the past, particularly the transition following Franco’s death in 1975. Experts argue that this pivotal moment shoudl not merely be seen as the end of a dictatorship but as the beginning of a modern democratic era. Concerns are rising about a growing disconnect among younger generations regarding historical events, with some expressing indifference towards democratic values in favor of authoritarian solutions. This trend is not unique to Spain, as similar attitudes are observed globally. Though, amidst this discourse, there is a silver lining: increased interest in historical literature, suggesting that the quest for knowledge may prevail despite governmental narratives.
Q&A: Teh Controversial Commemoration of Spain’s Democratic Transition
Editor (Time.news): Today, we delve into the complex discussions surrounding the Spanish government’s decision to commemorate the 50th anniversary of democracy from the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 2025. Joining us is historian Nicolás Sesma, author of Ni una, ni grande, ni libre. La dictadura franquista. Nicolás, could you provide some insight into the rationale for marking 1975 as a significant year in spain’s democratic journey?
Nicolás Sesma: Thank you for having me. The decision to commemorate 1975 speaks to a crucial turning point in Spanish history. While it’s true that repression continued even after Franco’s death, his passing represented a significant catalyst for change. It marked the end of a long dictatorship and opened doors to political reforms leading to the democratic elections in 1977. Celebrating this transition acknowledges the struggles and sacrifices made during that period.
Editor: Critics have labeled this commemoration as an attempt by the government to politicize Franco’s legacy, referring to it as a potential “witch hunt.” How do you respond to such criticisms?
Nicolás Sesma: The critique hinges on the notion of politicization, but recognizing franco’s death as a pivotal moment dose not inherently politicize his legacy. Instead, it provides an prospect to confront past memories, which is essential for healing and for understanding our past. We must be careful not to ignore this transition; it was a collective effort towards freedom against a backdrop of repression.
Editor: Former politician Guillermo Gortázar argues that true freedom began with reforms in 1976, asserting that 1975 oversimplifies a complex history. How do you reconcile such differing perspectives?
Nicolás Sesma: This tension is important. While Gortázar is correct that reforms in 1976 were crucial, one must understand that Franco’s death set the stage for those reforms.It wasn’t just a moment in isolation; it was part of a broader timeline of resistance culminating in democratic change. Historical events rarely fit neatly into single narratives; this complexity is precisely why discussions and commemorations are vital.
Editor: Mercedes Cabrera, another prominent figure in this discourse, highlighted the need for education in understanding this historical context. Could you elaborate on her stance and its implications for contemporary Spain?
Nicolás Sesma: Cabrera emphasizes education as a tool for fostering awareness about our past, especially with younger generations showing signs of disconnect. Acknowledging Franco’s legacy,including both the oppressive and the liberative aspects,is crucial in preventing historical amnesia. This education is essential to ensuring that future generations can engage meaningfully with democratic values and avoid repeating the mistakes of history.
Editor: Philosophers like Javier Gomá stress the importance of recognizing democracy as a hard-won achievement. Do you believe this perspective resonates with current political sentiments in Spain?
Nicolás Sesma: absolutely, gomá’s perspective resonates widely. Acknowledging democracy as a continuous struggle rather than a fixed state brings to light the constant need for vigilance and participation in democratic processes. Unfortunately, we see some disconnection from these values today, with rising indifference among youth toward democratic principles. Such conversations around our historical narrative are imperative to instill thankfulness and commitment towards democracy.
Editor: how do you see the interest in historical literature impacting these discussions?
Nicolás Sesma: The uptick in interest in historical literature signifies a quest for knowledge that counters prevailing narratives. This curiosity can foster a more informed citizenry, encouraging deeper engagement with Spain’s complex past. Literature can serve as a bridge, connecting individuals to historical realities and, hopefully, informing their understanding of democratic engagement.
Editor: Thank you for yoru insights,Nicolás.This nuanced discussion ultimately underlines the broader debate about how we remember our history and its implications for the present and future of democracy in Spain.
Nicolás Sesma: Thank you for having me. Engaging in these conversations is crucial as we strive to build a more informed society.