Fifty years after the death of General Francisco Franco, a significant shift is occurring in Spain. Contrary to the historical narrative of a repressive dictator, a growing number of young Spaniards are now viewing the Franco era in a surprisingly positive light.
Economic Anxieties Fuel Historical Reappraisal
This reassessment is largely driven by contemporary struggles. Many young people face a severe housing crisis, forcing them to live with their parents into their thirties. Coupled with precarious employment and heated debates on immigration, these challenges are sparking interest in right-wing parties and a re-evaluation of the past.
A recent poll by the state-run Centre for Sociological Studies (CIS) found that 21.5% of Spaniards now believe the Franco dictatorship was "good" or "very good". Significantly, 19% of those aged 18-24 share this view, while 65.5% of all respondents still deemed it "bad or very bad".
Hugo Escarpa, a 21-year-old criminology student in Barcelona, explains this trend by pointing to the political landscape. He states that parties on the right, such as the People’s Party (PP) and Vox, are directly addressing youth concerns like housing, jobs, and illegal immigration, while the left is perceived as failing to do so.
The Social Media Battle and Political Opportunism
The sentiment that ‘Life was better under Franco’ has become a recurring theme on social media, igniting fierce national debate. This online discourse coincides with a notable surge in support for the hard-right Vox party, which has skilfully harnessed platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Analysts note that Vox's populist messages on immigration and national identity resonate with a disaffected youth. A poll last month found that 17.4% of Spaniards now support Vox, up from 12.4% in the 2023 election. Crucially, 29% of Vox voters are aged 18-24, with a significant gender gap showing 38% are men and 20% are women.
Andrea Llopart, a 25-year-old finance worker, typifies this nuanced view. She acknowledges the lack of freedoms under Franco but suggests that "Spain came from a complicated situation and he helped it to grow." For her and her peers, the immediate priorities are affordable housing, personal security, and finding a stable job with a permanent contract.
Education Gaps and a Distorted Historical Memory
Experts argue that this trend is partly due to inadequate historical education and the powerful influence of social media. Steven Forti, a history professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, notes that these are generations who have never lived through the dictatorship, and their understanding is often shaped by tendentious online content.
Nick Lloyd, author of Travels Through the Spanish Civil War, echoes this, stating, "Younger people, particularly male, have no idea what the regime represented aside from the tendentious videos they see on TikTok."
While Vox itself avoids openly idolising Franco, Professor Forti points out that the party trivialises the dictatorship and presents itself as a rebellious alternative to the current socialist government, a message that appeals to young voters seeking change.
