Francisco Franco had ruled over Spain from 1939 to 1975 as a dictator, presiding over a brutal civil war that left half a million dead. His passing marked the end of Francoist rule and the transition to democracy. In 2025, Spain commemorated 50 years since Franco’s death with a year‑long series of events. Nonetheless, the Spanish government is warning of a resurgence in far‑right activity across Europe and a rekindling of fascism. Indeed, a poll shows that 25% of young people aged 18‑28 think that, under certain circumstances, an authoritarian regime is preferable to a democratic one. So, what has Spain achieved in the half century since Franco's demise, and how have key events shaped the country's future?
Click through the following gallery and reflect on Spain, more than 50 years after Franco.