Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/far-right-uptick-spain-raises-spectre-franco-50-years-after-his-death-2025-11-19/
The article explains that Spain is seeing a noticeable rise in far-right attitudes, and at the same time the country marks 50 years since the death of dictator Francisco Franco. A new state-run CIS poll shows that 21.3% of Spaniards now say the Franco era was “good” or “very good,” which is almost double the number from 2000. Among young people aged 18–24, about 17.3% say they actually prefer an authoritarian government to a democratic one. The far-right party, Vox, is gaining support as frustration grows over immigration and issues involving Spain’s separatist regions. Social media is also playing a huge role, with AI-generated videos praising Franco, altered history, and even techno-style remixes of fascist songs spreading online. Meanwhile, Spain’s left-wing government is trying to counter this trend by removing Franco-era symbols and teaching more “democratic memory,” though these efforts are being challenged in court by right-wing groups.
This increase in far-right support matters because it challenges Spain’s democratic legitimacy and raises questions about the stability of its political system. If more young people start accepting authoritarianism, it puts pressure on the country’s sovereignty and the democratic values it built after Franco’s dictatorship ended. The rise of these ideas is not happening only through politics, but it’s happening online, where non-state actors like social media influencers and anonymous accounts spread revisionist content. Spain has always had a complicated relationship with its past, and this moment shows what happens when a country doesn’t fully resolve historical trauma. The far-right could grow even stronger, shifting Spain’s balance of power.
The Spanish government will likely continue pushing its “democratic memory” policies and try to increase public education about the dictatorship to protect democratic legitimacy. Far-right politicians, especially Vox, are expected to keep using social media and political frustration to grow their support by claiming they protect national identity. Civil society groups and educators may work to fight digital misinformation and teach younger people to recognize manipulated history. The European Union could also play a role by encouraging Spain to strengthen democratic education and monitoring how authoritarian sentiment spreads within a member state. Each stakeholder will try to shape Spain’s political direction.
This situation connects to IB Global Politics concepts like power, legitimacy, and sovereignty. The far-right rise in Spain is an example of how ideational power, like ideas, identity, and historical memory, can shift public beliefs. Conflicts over Franco’s legacy challenge the government’s legitimacy because parts of the population no longer fully support the democratic system. Social media shows how non-state actors can influence political identity and even affect state stability. Spain’s effort to control symbols and narratives tied to the dictatorship reflects how a state protects its sovereignty by defending democratic norms. Overall, this case shows how political memory can shape modern power struggles.