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Spain has marked the half-century mark of dictator Franco's demise with an no formal commemorations but with a call from the prime minister to heed the lessons of the dictatorship and protect democratic liberties that was taken away for generations.

Past Events

Franco, whose rebellion against the elected republican government in 1936 led to internal warfare and ushered in generations of authoritarian rule, succumbed in Madrid on 20 November 1975.

Despite the government has arranged an extended calendar of activities to commemorate the political evolution, it ruled out any state acts on the exact day of the leader's passing to deter suggestions that it was trying to honor his death.

Present-Day Worries

The commemoration occurs during increasing concerns about the lack of knowledge about the repressive era, particularly among the youth.

Research findings has indicated that a significant portion of participants felt the Franco regime was good or very good, while another study found nearly 25% of youth population felt that an c authoritarian government could sometimes be preferable to a democratic system.

Official Position

All democratic systems have flaws, the leader stated. Much remains to be done to build the desired nation and that we can be: a country with enhanced prospects; increased freedoms and reduced disparity.

The government official, who pointedly did not refer Franco by name, also noted that freedom wasn't freely given, stating that today's freedoms had been secured by the determination and resilience of the Spanish people.

Remembrance Programs

The government has used commemoration statutes introduced three years ago to assist the nation reconcile with history.

• Changing the location's designation – formerly called the Valley of the Deceased
• Creating a catalog of property confiscated during the era
• Seeking to eliminate the remaining emblems of the era

Organization Shutdown Attempts

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

The heritage department head announced that his ministry was attempting to make sure that the historical records – presently held 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 boycotting the government's initiative to observe half-century of liberties, as is the far-right Vox party, which called the effort an morbid fascination that splits the population.

Historical Impact

Numerous citizens perished in the civil war, while countless additional people were compelled to leave.

Reprisals continued extensively following the war in 1939, and the corpses of countless individuals who perished in the violence and in its aftermath are estimated to lie in anonymous burial sites.

Government Transformation

Following the leader's demise, Spain embarked on the transition to representative government, holding free elections in 1977 and approving a new constitution in a public ballot afterward.