Name: Spain confronts Franco’s legacy as symbols of the dictatorship persist
Uploaded: 2025-11-20T20:28:00.143Z
Duration: 2 min 18 s
Description: Half a century after Franco’s death, his legacy still sparks debate in Madrid. Portraits and memorabilia glorifying the dictator are sold at markets, attracting curious buyers, including young people.

Half a century after Franco’s death, his legacy still sparks debate in Madrid. Portraits and memorabilia glorifying the dictator are sold at markets, attracting curious buyers, including young people.

Madrid

Nearly fifty years after the death of Francisco Franco, symbols of his dictatorship are still present in public spaces across Spain, including markets and monuments in Madrid. The Spanish government has announced plans to publish a list of Francoist symbols slated for removal, while some local officials and victims' advocates push for more decisive action.

Despite these efforts, divisions persist within Spanish society regarding Franco's legacy, with a significant portion of the population expressing nostalgia or support for the dictatorship era. Critics argue that without strong political will, the removal of symbols may have limited impact, as past attempts to erase Francoist names and emblems have sometimes been reversed.

Spain confronts Franco’s legacy as symbols of the dictatorship persist

Portraits of Franco and about a hundred objects glorifying the dead dictator, on display at Madrid's best-known market. The salesman here doesn't want his face on camera, but he tells us that his stall is a hit. We sell a lot. Yeah, with the current government, people are buying more and more, and more and more of them are young people. People are curious about the stand. A few seem nostalgic, like Antonio. It's great. This is part of my history. At my age, this is a piece of my past. The few symbols I have, I keep on me. I don't leave them at home because there's a sort of political police that's been set up who paints anyone who carries the flag as fascists. It's half a century since Franco's death, but traces of his regime are still visible. Like this controversial archway at the entrance to Madrid, erected by the dictatorship to the glory of his troops. It's unbelievable that this monument is still here when it stands for anti-democratic ideas. This left-wing councillor and others at Madrid's city hall want to complete the removal of Francoist symbols. We would like to put panels up inside the archway talking about peace and democracy. On the outside, there are still some Franco symbols. They've got to go. Like this shield with an eagle, a symbol of the totalitarian regime. The Spanish government says it will publish a list of Francoist symbols needing removal from public spaces in the next few weeks. A measure that is too little for these Spaniards gathered to remember Franco's victims. If there is no political will, there is no point drawing up lists. We were able to get rid of Francoist street names. They were changed, but then later they were put back up. What reparations is that going to give the victims? What exactly is that list going to do for them? It's great to do it, but what's next? Fifty years after Franco's death, Spaniards still struggle to agree on his legacy. In a poll, 20 percent believed the 40 years of the Francoist dictatorship were good ones.

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