An extraordinary operation that keeps a country in suspense. From 10:30 on Thursday, funeral agents will move, using a crane, the tombstone of the Spanish dictator. Out of sight, protected by a tent and in the presence of the Minister of Justice, a medical examiner and the grandson of Caudillo, the coffin will be brought to the surface. Members of his family will then carry him to the funeral vehicle parked at the entrance to the basilica.
Government priority
"I think it's important because it's the first time a government pushes so far to end Franco's story," says Enrique Urraca, whose family has been repressed by the dictatorship. . The head of the government, Pedro Sanchez, made the transfer of the remains of the Caudillo a priority as soon as he came to power in June 2018, so that this mausoleum could no longer be a "place of apology" of the Franco regime.
Far from unanimous
This decision is far from unanimous: 40% of Spaniards would be unfavorable. "There is no consensus, but there is a historical explanation: Spain has become a democracy 'by force.' The dictatorship has not lost," explains Enrique Urraca. The family demanded state honors for Franco, with a Spanish flag on the coffin, but the government refused. The dictator will be re-buried alongside his wife, Carmen Paulo. this transfer, which will be followed live on TV is not unanimous.
Weather permitting, the remains of the dictator will be transferred by helicopter to avoid any Franco demonstration along the 50 kilometers between the mausoleum of the El Pardo municipal cemetery. The operation will be broadcast live on television.