'Law of Democratic Memory': Two new tribute dates to dictatorship victims

SPAIN has approved its long-planned 'Law of Democratic Memory', adding two new significant dates to its calendar.

Hallowe'en will no longer just be about trick or treating – it will also be marked as a 'remembrance day' for victims of dictator General Franco's régime.

And May 8 will see the country pay tribute to those forced into exile during the 36-year fascist rule.

The brainchild of former government spokeswoman Carmen Calvo – replaced by Félix Bolaños (pictured below) in president Pedro Sánchez's recent cabinet reshuffle – the bulk of the work on the new legislation had already been completed, and it simply needed to be signed off by the Council of Ministers.

Its text provides for the abolition of any foundations or associations considered to be a homage to the dictator or his reign or which could be considered 'degrading to the victims' of the 1936 coup d'état, the resulting Civil War, or the long Francoist rule which the conflict gave rise to and which would only end with the General's death in 1975.

Additionally, it will cease the functions of the monks based in the Valle de los Caídos ('Valley of the Fallen') in San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Madrid), a memorial and burial ground for dictatorship victims from which Franco himself was exhumed in 2019.

Instead, the government's heritage department will take over the reins until an agreement is reached with the Catholic Church.

The socialist government – which rules in coalition with left-wing Unidas Podemos – said it took on board suggestions from the General Judicial Power Council (CGPJ).

Unidas Podemos says the new law is 'a positive move', but considers it 'does not go far enough'.

The right-wing PP says it will immediately abolish it if it gets into power after the late 2023 elections, and far-right Vox says it will appeal against it.