How to interpret Pedro Sánchez’s invitation to Felipe VI to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Franco’s death

The announcement of president of the government commemorating in 2025 the 50th anniversary of the death of Francisco Franco within a cycle of activities titled Spain in freedom has unleashed a political and social debate that continues to polarize opinions. Beyond the controversy that the proposal alone already generates, the invitation extended to King Felipe VI to participate in the opening ceremony, scheduled for January 8 at the Reina Sofía Museum, has added an institutional and symbolic dimension to the discussion. .

The Government’s stated objective is to commemorate half a century of democracy in Spain, highlighting the country’s transformation since the death of the dictator and paying tribute to those who made that transition to freedom possible. According to Moncloa, this first activity aims to inaugurate a cycle of one hundred events that will extend throughout the year. However, the choice of that date and the symbolism inherent in celebrating the anniversary of Franco’s death have not gone unnoticed. Nor the fact that the invitation was addressed to the Crown, a crucial actor in the restoration of democracy but also in the final period of Francoism.

The Royal Family does not confirm whether the King will attend the event and the royal family’s weekly agenda is not published until the Friday before the activities. For now, in Zarzuela there is a commitment to other official acts that same day, including the receipt of credentials from several ambassadors, a diplomatic protocol that cannot be postponed.

An act of historical reconciliation?

For some, the invitation to the King symbolizes a gesture of historical reconciliation. The inaugural event could be understood as an opportunity for the monarchical institution, in its capacity as heir to democratic values, to reaffirm its commitment to memory, freedom and progress. Felipe VI himself has shown on several occasions his sensitivity towards democratic values ​​and recognition of the past. During his recent speech in the Italian Parliament, the King highlighted the importance of “not repeating the mistakes of the past” and advocated for the defense of human rights, equality and the rule of law, values ​​that Spanish democracy has consolidated in these fifty years. In this way, their participation could be read as institutional support for the country’s democratic evolution, highlighting the connection between the values ​​of the Transition and current democratic achievements.

A political trap?

From other sectors, especially among the ranks of the Popular Party and some conservative analysts, the invitation is interpreted as a political maneuver of Pedro Sanchez to place the King in an uncomfortable position. The leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, He has described the acts as an attempt by Sánchez to “live from the past” and “divide the Spanish people.” In this framework, the presence of the King could be instrumentalized to legitimize a narrative that some consider biased, focused on the figure of Franco instead of the construction of democracy and the 1978 Constitution. For its part, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, was more forceful, describing the initiative as a “provocation” and accusing the Government of “going crazy.” According to Ayuso, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Franco’s death is equivalent to stoking historical tensions that Spain should have overcome.

Others see this invitation as an opportunity for Felipe VI to reinforce the neutrality and centrality of the Crown in the institutional life of the country. Although the inaugural event focuses on Franco, the Spain in Freedom cycle is projected as a celebration of democracy, an area where the parliamentary Monarchy has an undisputed role. The King’s attendance could be interpreted as an act of reaffirming the unity of Spain and the stabilizing role of the monarchical institution. However, this argument also finds detractors, who point out that Any presence at an event marked by the memory of the dictator could be misinterpreted and used for political purposes.

Zarzuela’s dilemma

The Royal House is at a complex crossroads. On the one hand, its political neutrality requires caution regarding commemorative activities, especially in contexts that may generate controversy. On the other hand, the symbolism of the inaugural event transcends partisan disputes, since it implies a recognition of half a century of democracy in which the Monarchy played an essential role. Furthermore, the King’s agenda already includes commitments that cannot be postponed on January 8, such as the receipt of credentials from new ambassadors. This act, full of formality and tradition, is essential for diplomats to be able to fully exercise their functions. Some analysts consider that these commitments could have been reorganized, but the truth is that postponing the delivery of credentials would have consequences on other diplomatic events, such as the annual reception for the diplomatic corps, scheduled for January 9.

Pedro Sánchez’s decision to focus the start of the celebrations on the anniversary of Franco’s death has generated an intense debate about the Government’s approach to historical memory. For some, the emphasis should be placed on the 1978 Constitution and the Transition as fundamental milestones of Spanish democracy. However, Moncloa has defended that the death of the dictator marked the end of a stage of repression and the beginning of a process that culminated in democracy. According to this vision, November 20, 1975, when Franco died, is not so much a date to commemorate the dictator, but to reflect on the path traveled since then.

The year of memory

2025 will be a key year for historical memory in Spain. In addition to the events promoted by the Government, other institutions and social groups could take advantage of the occasion to claim different narratives about the last fifty years. The challenge, both for the Executive and for the rest of the actors involved, will be to prevent the celebrations from becoming a political battlefield. In this context, the King’s decision on whether or not to attend the opening ceremony could become a symbol of institutional balance or, on the contrary, a new focus of controversy. In the end, what is at stake is not only the interpretation of a commemorative act, but the way in which Spain addresses its own history and builds its democratic identity.