Memoirs of the ex-king released in Spanish bookstores

The memoirs of ex-King Juan Carlos hit Spanish bookstores on Wednesday, igniting debates over his reflections on the late dictator Francisco Franco. The book, titled "Reconciliation", includes passages that have drawn attention for their positive portrayal of Franco.

At the Pasajes bookstore in central Madrid, staff member Esther Gil noted that around 50 pre-orders had already been placed before the Spanish edition became available. "This is one of the most anticipated releases in recent times," she said, standing beside a display of the memoirs. She added that readers interest stemmed partly from curiosity about the former king's personal revelations and partly from a fascination with controversial aspects of his life.

The 500-page memoir first appeared in French last month and quickly became the top-selling book on Amazon Spain on the day of the Spanish release. In the book, the 87-year-old former monarch recounts notable moments in Spanish history while also discussing his personal life, including extramarital relationships and financial controversies.

One of the most debated sections of the memoir is Juan Carlos's expressed admiration for Franco, describing the dictator as "capable of tenderness and benevolence" and acknowledging the role Franco played in bringing him from exile at age 10 to groom him as his successor. The statements have drawn sharp criticism: Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun labeled the comments "sickening," and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed surprise at some of the content.

Franco had separated Juan Carlos from his parents to prepare him as heir, and Juan Carlos ascended the throne two days after Franco's death in 1975. Contrary to Francoist expectations that he would continue the dictatorship's policies, Juan Carlos initiated reforms that led to democratic elections in 1977.

In a video released earlier this week, Juan Carlos explained that his memoirs aim to help younger generations understand Spain's recent history without distortions. The former king abdicated in 2014 in favor of his son, King Felipe VI, and has resided in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates since 2020.

Author: Olivia Parker