nostalgia (not only that of Franco’s regime)

Spain’s Shifting Sands of Nostalgia: A Nation Re-examines its Past and Future

Madrid, Spain – A fascinating and potentially destabilizing trend is unfolding in Spain: a dramatic reshaping of national nostalgia. What was once a clear marker – identifying those clinging to the legacy of Francisco Franco – has become a widespread and multifaceted phenomenon, impacting everything from political alignments to generational perspectives. This breaking news comes as Spain confronts a 21% of its population viewing the Franco dictatorship favorably, sparking a national conversation about memory, identity, and the path forward.

From Franco’s Shadow to the Allure of the Transition

For decades, “nostalgic” in Spain carried a loaded meaning – a euphemism for those defending the authoritarian regime. But as historian Agnes Arnold-Foster notes in her new book, Nostalgia: a History of a Dangerous Emotion, nostalgia is no longer a fringe sentiment. It’s a pervasive force in modern societies, a bittersweet blend of pleasure and pain that shapes our understanding of the present. This shift is particularly visible in Spain, where the 50th anniversary of Franco’s death has triggered a surge of interest in the Transition – the period of democratic reform – actively promoted by the current government through events, publications, and series like Movistar+’s Anatomy of a Moment.

A Global Phenomenon, Rooted in Uncertainty

Spain isn’t alone. A recent Ipsos study, analyzing 30 countries, revealed that in 29 of them, a majority of people would prefer to have been born in 1975 rather than 2025. In Spain, that figure is a striking 41%. Paco Camas, Ipsos’ Director of Public Opinion in Spain, attributes this to a combination of factors. A natural tendency for older generations to romanticize their past experiences plays a role, but a deeper, more concerning trend is at play: a growing pessimism about the future, fueled by successive crises since 2007. When the future looks bleak, the past offers a comforting illusion of order and stability.

The Political Battle for the Narrative

This resurgence of nostalgia isn’t happening in a vacuum. Political parties are actively vying to control the narrative. Right-wing parties, like Vox, have capitalized on nostalgia for the Franco era, while the ruling PSOE is emphasizing the consensus-building spirit of the Transition. This has created a symbolic tug-of-war over the very definition of Spanish democracy. As Ignacio Sánchez-Cuenca, a professor of Political Science at Carlos III University of Madrid, explains, the Transition remains the historical event of which Spaniards are most proud – a rare point of national agreement in an increasingly polarized landscape.

The Decline of Podemos and the Re-evaluation of the Transition

Interestingly, this renewed focus on the Transition also signals a decline in the influence of Podemos, the left-wing party that once vehemently criticized the “78 regime.” Sánchez-Cuenca argues that Podemos’ frontal assault on the Transition failed to resonate with a public that largely views it positively. Even on the left, pride in the Transition is increasing, while on the right, it’s being re-evaluated as a period of stability and progress.

Beyond Politics: A Search for Lost Values?

Historian Manuel Ortiz Heras offers a more skeptical perspective, suggesting that much of this “nostalgia” is simply “imposture” – a longing for a simpler time born out of dissatisfaction with the present. He cautions against romanticizing the past, particularly the Transition, arguing that the consensus it’s often portrayed as having was far from universal. He urges the political class to focus on strengthening democracy in the present, rather than endlessly revisiting the past.

The debate surrounding nostalgia in Spain is far from settled. It’s a complex interplay of historical memory, political maneuvering, and societal anxieties. As younger generations, who have no direct experience of the Franco dictatorship or the Transition, come of age, their perspectives will undoubtedly shape the future of this conversation. The question remains: can Spain learn from its past without being consumed by it, and build a future that addresses the anxieties driving this powerful wave of nostalgia?

Stay tuned to Archyde for continued coverage of this developing story and in-depth analysis of the forces shaping Spain’s political and social landscape. Explore our politics section for more breaking news and insightful commentary.