The law of democratic memory in Spain: an attempt at consolidation or a new phase of conflict?

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, Spain has experienced a state of radical change in the public perception of key periods in the national history of the twentieth century, "wars of memory" determine the Spanish public mood, a significant part of political discourse and scientific research. On October 21, 2022, the Democratic Memory Law came into force in Spain. This event was preceded by a long period of political debate and public controversy. The law, presented by its authors as a means of consolidating state policy, broadcasting the traditions and values of democracy, paying tribute to those who fought for freedom, and prohibiting the justification of dictatorship, in the eyes of opponents looks like a provocation or a populist act, but by no means a means to overcome the conflict nature of Spanish society.

Keywords

• spain
• democratic memory law
• historical memory law
• amnesty law
• francoism
• reconciliation
• democracy
• psoe
• wars of memory