50 years after Franco’s death, young Spaniards increasingly support dictatorship

OVIEDO, Spain

On the 50th anniversary of the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, a survey released Thursday showed that younger generations are increasingly sympathetic to his regime.

The survey found that 24% of Gen Z respondents, aged 18 to 28, and 23% of Millennials, aged 29 to 44, said an authoritarian regime can sometimes be preferable to democracy. In both groups, 65% said democracy is better.

The contrast with older generations is stark. Among Gen X, ages 45 to 60, 75% favor democracy and 16% sympathize with authoritarianism. Among Baby Boomers, 61 and older, 84% support democracy and just 12% back dictatorship.

Across generations, men were significantly more likely to view the Francoist regime positively.

The survey, conducted for Spanish daily El Pais and broadcaster Cadena Ser, also found large generational differences in historical knowledge.

Older generations were far more aware of the lack of freedoms under Franco. For instance, about 40% of Gen Z respondents did not know divorce was illegal during the dictatorship, compared to 11% of Baby Boomers.

Gen Z and Millennials were also less likely to know who killed the poet Federico Garcia Lorca. While 95% of respondents said they were aware of Lorca, nearly half of younger people did not know he was executed by forces loyal to Franco, compared to around a quarter of those 61 and older.

Historical understanding also aligned with contemporary political leanings. Just 27% of supporters of the far-right Vox party said the Spanish Civil War began with a coup led by Franco, whereas 90% of voters for the left-wing Sumar party said the same.

Supporters of Vox – currently the most popular party among young voters – were the only political group in which more respondents expressed sympathy for the Franco regime than opposition to it, with 43% viewing it positively compared to 17% negatively.

After a prolonged illness and a battle with Parkinson’s disease, Franco died on Nov. 20, 1975, at age 82.

He ruled Spain from 1939, after his forces won the civil war, until his death.