disinterment , the number of messages increased fivefold . In this last month , there was intense participation on Twitter about the preparations for the event , but also about Franco and his dictatorship .
In the analysis of social networks , the social group against the exhumation , which identifies with right-wing and far right political parties , was found to have a strong , uniform structure of connection . In contrast , groups in favour were divided into subgroups around nuclei of associations for historical memory , left-wing political parties or people who wanted to express their opinion [ graphics 1 and 2 ].
In the period between 22 and 26 October , the dates before and after the event , over a million tweets were posted . The division of opinions was not so radical because there was mass participation in which many users did not have a clear opinion , but their messages were widely shared . However , a clear separation can be seen between the far-right party VOX and its supporters compared to other groups [ graphic 3 ].
Between the Supreme Court ’ s ruling of suspension ( 4 June ) and endorsement ( 24 September ), the controversy was enriched by the appearance of a new actor : humour . On Twitter , sarcastic and ironic messages often circulate that ridicule all kinds of events and are sometimes on the limits of black humour . In the case of Franco ’ s exhumation , humour came from the social bloc in favour of taking him out of the Valle . The messages swept up many users who would not have participated in the discussion otherwise . Much of this humorous content was expressed in the form of memes , some trivialising the situation , others making fun of the dictator himself .
Regarding doubts about how the disinterment and reburial process would be carried out , various memes circulated that proposed solutions . One showed an image of the children from Steven Spielberg ’ s famous film E . T . ( 1982 ) transporting the dictator on their bicycle .
Another satirical post showed Franco ’ s old ally Adolf Hitler driving him out of the Valle in one of his majestic Mercedes Benz cars . So the Führer saved the Caudillo from a new difficulty .
Graphic 1 | Source : Monitoring of Twitter . Compiled by the authors .
Graphic 2 | Source : Monitoring of Twitter . Compiled by the authors
Graphic 3 | Source : Monitoring of Twitter . Compiled by the authors
Source : Monitoring of Twitter .
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