Franco's minister quits Spanish politics, aged 89
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The last minister still active in Spainis politics who served under the dictator General Francisco Franco is set to quit the national stage.
Manuel Fraga, 89, will not stand in the country's forthcoming general elections, according to sources.
Mr Fraga, one of the great survivors of Iberian politics, played an active role in Franco's regime and in drawing up the constitution that replaced it. He was also the co-founder of the predecessor of Spain's main opposition party and is now a senator in parliament's upper house.
As Franco's minister of tourism and information in the 1960s, Mr Fraga was responsible for legislation that eliminated censorship, but only for newspapers. Books, radio and television were subject to even stricter and more arbitrary judgements.
Fraga's most famous international appearance came in 1966 when he bathed in the Meditteranean with the US ambassador to 'prove' that there was no fall-out after a US nuclear bomber collided with a supply plane over the coastal village of Palomares and jettisoned four hydrogen bombs. To this day, some areas near the village in south-eastern Andalusia remain fenced off and an official report has never been produced.
Mr Fraga defended Franco in a 2007 interview, comparing him favourably to Napoleon.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments