Of all the rulers of Spain of the last 2 centuries—whether monarch, president, or dictator—he is the only one to have died in power, of old age, and on his deathbed. Fernando VII and Alfonso XII were only 48 and 28 respectively when they passed away.
I just reread Franco’s last message to his people and it still sounds very relevant, especially about his warning about the unity of Spain and her enemies just lurking around the corner.
Of course, I wish the monarchy and the 1978 constitution a long life. But I can’t shake off from my mind the fact that the last monarchical constitution of 1876 lasted only 47 years until 1923, with the start of the Primo de Rivera dictatorship. I really hope that history doesn’t repeat itself again.
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