Spanish government approves decree to begin removal of 'Francoist symbols and vestiges'

A new Royal Decree in Spain paves the way for the creation of a state catalogue of Francoist symbols and vestiges**,** destined to be removed or redefined.

The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, said on Tuesday that "the government estimates that there are still some 4,000 vestiges of Francoist exaltation throughout Spain".

Torres explained that the decree will allow applications to include an element in the catalogue not only from public administrations, but also from individuals and memorial associations. At a press conference after the Council of Ministers, he stressed that any vestige that is "susceptible to being removed" may be subject to the procedure established by law.

To manage this process, a technical commission will be set up, made up of 15 historians, experts and regional representatives, who will meet every 15 days to review and update the list of elements.

The catalogue will includebuildings, coats of arms, insignia, plaques or any other object attached to public buildingsor located on the public highway that highlights the military uprising, the Franco dictatorship or its leaders, as well as the names of streets, squares or municipalities.

The Law of Democratic Memory

This regulation is a key step in the application of the Law of Democratic Memory, which from 2022obliges the State toidentify and remove the symbols and vestiges of Francoism present in public spaces.

The new decree introduces an operational mechanism and a practical tool to systematically review and classify these elements.

The creation of the technical commission will allow elements to be added to the catalogue as requests arrive, according to Torres. "We continue to develop the Law of Democratic Memory," the minister said.

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