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Why Franco's tomb is a headache for Spain's new government Why Franco's tomb is a headache for Spain's new government
(about 1 month later)
A Spanish protest artist has been filmed painting a red dove and the words "For Freedom" on the tomb of the late fascist dictator General Francisco Franco.A Spanish protest artist has been filmed painting a red dove and the words "For Freedom" on the tomb of the late fascist dictator General Francisco Franco.
Enrique Terneiro, a sculptor and video artist, shouted, "For freedom and the reconciliation of all Spaniards!" as he was grabbed by a security guard.Enrique Terneiro, a sculptor and video artist, shouted, "For freedom and the reconciliation of all Spaniards!" as he was grabbed by a security guard.
The act is just the latest drama in a fractious, years-long debate about the dictator's remains.The act is just the latest drama in a fractious, years-long debate about the dictator's remains.
What's the background?What's the background?
Gen Franco ruled Spain as a military dictator from 1939 until his death in 1975.Gen Franco ruled Spain as a military dictator from 1939 until his death in 1975.
His embalmed body lies in a huge mausoleum near Madrid, which has become a shrine for the far right.His embalmed body lies in a huge mausoleum near Madrid, which has become a shrine for the far right.
The vast memorial site, known as the Valley of the Fallen, also contains the remains of 34,000 people killed on both sides of Spain's 1936-1939 civil war - which was started by Franco's rebellion against the elected government.The vast memorial site, known as the Valley of the Fallen, also contains the remains of 34,000 people killed on both sides of Spain's 1936-1939 civil war - which was started by Franco's rebellion against the elected government.
The site was partly built by political prisoners, whom his regime subjected to forced labour.The site was partly built by political prisoners, whom his regime subjected to forced labour.
Many Spaniards see the Valley as a loathsome monument to the triumph of fascism, and want Franco to be reburied elsewhere.Many Spaniards see the Valley as a loathsome monument to the triumph of fascism, and want Franco to be reburied elsewhere.
In August, Spain's new Socialist government approved his exhumation, despite objections from his family and the right-wing People's and Citizens parties.In August, Spain's new Socialist government approved his exhumation, despite objections from his family and the right-wing People's and Citizens parties.
It wants the Valley of the Fallen to become "a place of commemoration, remembrance and homage to the victims of the war".It wants the Valley of the Fallen to become "a place of commemoration, remembrance and homage to the victims of the war".
And so the question has become - where will the dictator be buried instead?And so the question has become - where will the dictator be buried instead?
Where will Franco be moved to?Where will Franco be moved to?
The government wants to find a more low-key burial place where the dictator's followers would find it harder to pay tribute.The government wants to find a more low-key burial place where the dictator's followers would find it harder to pay tribute.
But Franco's family (who would rather he wasn't moved at all), say he should lie in a family crypt in the Almudena Cathedral - right in the centre of Madrid.But Franco's family (who would rather he wasn't moved at all), say he should lie in a family crypt in the Almudena Cathedral - right in the centre of Madrid.
Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo quashed that suggestion on Monday, telling reporters the solution "obviously can't be the Almudena".Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo quashed that suggestion on Monday, telling reporters the solution "obviously can't be the Almudena".
"Franco's remains can't be placed in any place where they could be glorified," she said, adding that the government "has mechanisms" to block the move."Franco's remains can't be placed in any place where they could be glorified," she said, adding that the government "has mechanisms" to block the move.
As the cathedral is a Catholic church, the Vatican has also weighed in - backing the government's search for an alternative location.As the cathedral is a Catholic church, the Vatican has also weighed in - backing the government's search for an alternative location.
One possibility is the El Prado cemetery near Madrid, where Franco's wife is buried. One possibility is the El Pardo cemetery near Madrid, where Franco's wife is buried.
Is Spain still haunted by the Franco era?Is Spain still haunted by the Franco era?
Democracy is well established now, but the Franco era does still haunt Spain. There was an unwritten "pact of forgetting" during the democratic transition.Democracy is well established now, but the Franco era does still haunt Spain. There was an unwritten "pact of forgetting" during the democratic transition.
An Amnesty Law adopted in 1977 prevents any criminal investigation into the Franco years.An Amnesty Law adopted in 1977 prevents any criminal investigation into the Franco years.
Statues of Franco were removed and many streets were renamed, to erase obvious signs of the fascist past.Statues of Franco were removed and many streets were renamed, to erase obvious signs of the fascist past.
A Historical Memory Law, passed in 2007 by the socialist government at the time, recognised the war victims on both sides and provided some help for surviving victims of Franco's dictatorship and their families.A Historical Memory Law, passed in 2007 by the socialist government at the time, recognised the war victims on both sides and provided some help for surviving victims of Franco's dictatorship and their families.
But the work to locate and rebury thousands of civil war dead has been slow and controversial.But the work to locate and rebury thousands of civil war dead has been slow and controversial.
More than 100,000 victims of the conflict, and the ferocious repression carried out afterwards, are still missing.More than 100,000 victims of the conflict, and the ferocious repression carried out afterwards, are still missing.
Artist Mr Terneiro, 49, told Spain's El Mundo newspaper that he painted the dove as a "protest action" against the theft of freedom, which he said his parents' and grandparents' generations experienced.Artist Mr Terneiro, 49, told Spain's El Mundo newspaper that he painted the dove as a "protest action" against the theft of freedom, which he said his parents' and grandparents' generations experienced.
"It's my little grain of sand," he said. "I hope it alleviates the pain of the losers of the civil war.""It's my little grain of sand," he said. "I hope it alleviates the pain of the losers of the civil war."
Francisco Franco, 1892-1975Francisco Franco, 1892-1975
Read more on Franco's legacy:Read more on Franco's legacy: