Spain to exhume Franco's remains Thursday

News

Spain to exhume Franco's remains Thursday

2019-10-21 16:02 Last Updated At：16:10

The Spanish government says it will exhume and relocate the remains of late military dictator Gen. Francisco Franco on Thursday.

In a statement Monday, the government said the remains would be taken from the grandiose mausoleum at the Valley of the Fallen complex outside Madrid and taken to a discreet grave close to the capital by helicopter.

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In this Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 photo, a man makes the fascist salute at the tomb of Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, the founder of the Spanish right-wing movement La Falange, inside the basilica at the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoAlfonso Ruiz)

The Spanish government says it will exhume and relocate the remains of late military dictator Gen. Francisco Franco on Thursday.

In this Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 photo, the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum is seen near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

The government is pushing ahead with the exhumation before Spain holds a general election on Nov. 10.

In this Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 photo, people visit the tomb of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco inside the basilica at the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoAlfonso Ruiz)

In this Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 photo, visitors queue to enter at the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

In this Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 photo, a man kisses the tomb of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco inside the basilica at the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoAlfonso Ruiz)

In this Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 photo, a visitors holds a portrait of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco at the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoAlfonso Ruiz)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, flowers are placed on the tomb of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco inside the basilica at the the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

In this Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019 photo, a visitor takes a snapshot at the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

FILE, undated file photo of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP Photofile)

FILE, In this Nov. 20, 1938 file photo, former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, centre, attends the second anniversary of the death of Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, the founder of the Spanish right-wing movement La Falange, in Burgos, Spain. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP Photo)

In this Friday, April 5, 2019 photo, a view inside Franco's family tomb in Mingorrubio's cemetery, outskirts of Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, flowers are placed on the tomb of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco inside the basilica at the the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

The Valley of the Fallen mausoleum, near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

The Valley of the Fallen mausoleum is framed by a window near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

A monk walks in front of The Valley of the Fallen mausoleum near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

In this Friday, April 5, 2019 photo, a view inside Franco's family tomb in Mingorrubio's cemetery, outskirts of Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

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The Spanish government says it will exhume and relocate the remains of late military dictator Gen. Francisco Franco on Thursday.

The government is pushing ahead with the exhumation before Spain holds a general election on Nov. 10.

In this Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 photo, people visit the tomb of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco inside the basilica at the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoAlfonso Ruiz)

In this Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 photo, visitors queue to enter at the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

In this Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 photo, a man kisses the tomb of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco inside the basilica at the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoAlfonso Ruiz)

In this Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 photo, a visitors holds a portrait of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco at the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoAlfonso Ruiz)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, flowers are placed on the tomb of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco inside the basilica at the the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

In this Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019 photo, a visitor takes a snapshot at the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

FILE, undated file photo of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP Photofile)

FILE, In this Nov. 20, 1938 file photo, former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, centre, attends the second anniversary of the death of Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, the founder of the Spanish right-wing movement La Falange, in Burgos, Spain. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP Photo)

In this Friday, April 5, 2019 photo, a view inside Franco's family tomb in Mingorrubio's cemetery, outskirts of Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, flowers are placed on the tomb of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco inside the basilica at the the Valley of the Fallen monument near El Escorial, outside Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

The Valley of the Fallen mausoleum, near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

The Valley of the Fallen mausoleum is framed by a window near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

A monk walks in front of The Valley of the Fallen mausoleum near El Escorial, outskirts of Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)

In this Friday, April 5, 2019 photo, a view inside Franco's family tomb in Mingorrubio's cemetery, outskirts of Madrid. After a tortuous judicial and public relations battle, Spain's Socialist government has announced that Gen. Francisco Franco's embalmed body will be relocated from a controversial shrine to a small public cemetery where the former dictator's remains will lie along his deceased wife. (AP PhotoBernat Armangue)

The procedure was authorized after the Supreme Court recently dismissed the objections by Franco's family.

The government is pushing ahead with the exhumation before Spain holds a general election on Nov. 10.

Franco ruled Spain between 1939 and 1975.

Macron outlines his vision for Europe to become an assertive global power as war in Ukraine rages on

2024-04-26 00:49 Last Updated At：00:52

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron warned Thursday that Europe could “die” if it fails to build its own robust defense as Russia’s war in Ukraine rages on, or if it fails to undertake major trade and economic reforms to compete with China and the U.S.

Macron urged Europeans to become more ambitious in a fast-changing world to face the challenges of war, fierce trade competition, energy scarcity, climate change and increasing authoritarianism.

In a nearly two-hour speech at Sorbonne University in Paris, Macron said that the continent is divided and “too slow and lacks ambition” at a time when the 27-member European Union needs to become a superpower, defend its own borders and speak with one voice if it wants to survive and thrive.

“Our Europe today is mortal,” Macron said. “It can die and that depends solely on our choices,” he added. He called on people to make those choices now because, “it’s today that Europe is between war and peace.”

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, is an existential threat and Europe isn't armed enough to defend itself when “confronted by a power like Russia that has no inhibitions, no limits,” Macron said.

‘Our ability to ensure our security is at stake," Macron said. “Russia mustn’t be allowed to win.”

Europe now has the “good fortune” of having the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, Macron said. But, in a year of key elections around Europe, in the U.S. and elsewhere, support may fragment or disappear entirely, he added.

“Europe must become capable of defending its interests, with its allies by our side whenever they are willing, and alone if necessary,” Macron said.

Strong armies, a European rapid intervention program and force, tanks, a missile shield and other weapons, produced in Europe, will need the support of “a joint diplomatic force that will speak with one voice and build bridges with Africa and Latin America,” the French leader said.

“Only then will Europe show that it's not a United States’ lap dog, and that it also knows how to talk to other regions of the world,” he said.

France has been a firm supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, and Macron has often clashed with other Western leaders as he has insisted that Europe must stand by the country at any cost. The French president alarmed European leaders by saying recently that sending Western troops into Ukraine to shore up its defenses shouldn’t be ruled out.

Referring to trade practices of China and the U.S., Macron said “the two world powers have decided not to respect the rules of global trade” by shoring up protections and subsides while Europe’s industry remains open and is stuck in overregulation.

“Let’s do the same, we are in competition,” Macron said.

“We must buy faster, we must produce more and we must buy more that is made in Europe. That is key,” Macron said.

Thursday's speech came less than two months before a pivotal European Parliament election.

Macron, an avid advocate of a united and assertive Europe, also rallied support for his centrist Renaissance party before the June 6-9 vote as far-right parties lead the moderate coalitions in the polls. He called for safeguarding democratic values as the “authoritarian model” was becoming “more popular” across the continent.

The war in Ukraine and immigration are top priorities for European Union voters, according to polls. Far-right parties have gained support by criticizing Macron’s government policies on both issues. Macron acknowledged divisions on immigration policies, including on asylum and deportation rules for those who have arrived to Europe illegally.

He emphasized the need for an effective response and Europe-wide coordination for curbing illegal immigration, closer cooperation with immigrants' countries of origin and a unified, relentless fight against human traffickers.

Macron criticized the idea of striking an agreement, as Britain as done, with countries in Africa and elsewhere to transfer immigrants there.

“This is a betrayal of our values that ultimately leads us to dependency on other counties,” Macron said.

The British government earlier this week approved a law allowing the deportation of some migrants who enter the country illegally to Rwanda.

Macron lost his majority in France’s most influential house of parliament, the National Assembly, after the 2022 election to the far-left coalition and the far-right National Rally party.

The social situation in France remains tense as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games this summer, amid protests from teachers and police officers, and farmer demonstrations in recent weeks. The protests follow huge rallies last year against Macron’s ultimately successful proposal to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Barbara Surk reported from Nice, France. Lorne Cook contributed to this report from Brussels.

Spain to exhume Franco's remains Thursday

News

Spain to exhume Franco's remains Thursday

The Spanish government says it will exhume and relocate the remains of late military dictator Gen. Francisco Franco on Thursday.

The government is pushing ahead with the exhumation before Spain holds a general election on Nov. 10.

The Spanish government says it will exhume and relocate the remains of late military dictator Gen. Francisco Franco on Thursday.

The government is pushing ahead with the exhumation before Spain holds a general election on Nov. 10.

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Spain to exhume Franco&#039;s remains Thursday

Spain to exhume Franco&#039;s remains Thursday

The Spanish government says it will exhume and relocate the remains of late military dictator Gen. Francisco Franco on Thursday.

The government is pushing ahead with the exhumation before Spain holds a general election on Nov. 10.

The Spanish government says it will exhume and relocate the remains of late military dictator Gen. Francisco Franco on Thursday.

The government is pushing ahead with the exhumation before Spain holds a general election on Nov. 10.

Next Article

Macron outlines his vision for Europe to become an assertive global power as war in Ukraine rages on

EU military officer says a frigate has destroyed a drone launched from Yemen’s Houthi-held areas

Poland’s prime minister celebrates after his party wins a string of cities in mayoral votes

European nations with Patriots hesitate to give their missile systems to Ukraine

Reuters photographer wins World Press Photo of the Year with poignant shot from Gaza

Defense and security are on citizens’ minds before the EU Parliament elections, a survey finds

EU leaders vow to impose tougher sanctions against Iran as Ukraine’s president pleads for support

Hungary’s leader calls for change at the top in June European elections at a far right gathering

Spain to exhume Franco's remains Thursday

Spain to exhume Franco's remains Thursday