Manuel Fraga Iribarne quotes

Manuel Fraga Iribarne was a Spanish politician, diplomat, and academic, influential during both Francoist and democratic periods in Spain. Known for his role as Minister of Information and Tourism and later as founder of the People’s Party, his career spanned several decades of dramatic political change. He played a significant part in shaping modern Spanish politics and governance. Here are 12 of his quotes:

We will not seat at the same table with the comunists. I will never talk to them.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

The language is named Spanish, not Castillian! Spanish is the language of everybody. It has become the language of Spain already [...] Catalonia was occupied by Felipe IV, by Felipe V (who defeated the Catalans), it was bombed by general Espartero, who was a revolutionary general, and we occupied it in 1939 and we are prepared to take the rifle again. Therefore, you shall guess what to expect. Here I have my rifle to use it again.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

It is obious that the glorious day of July, 18, 1936 [Franco's coup d'état] was one of the nicest political and social movements that the world remembers. Historians shall admit that the most and best part of the country was the one who raised against the governement, illegal and corrupt, who was preparing the darkest red revolution from the power.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

Legalisation of the Communist Party is a real coup d'état.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

My mother (from Iparralde) understood perfectly that she had to teach French, not Basque, which is a dead language.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

I would not execute [by firing squad] certain people. They should be hooked off their balls.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

Legalising the Basque flag over my dead body.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

Those who have not learnt from Gasteiz will be responsible for their own acts. Those who want to fight, will be fought. With all of its consequences. Stop being fool.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

A great man" [...] "and the greatest and most representative of the Spanish people of the 20th century" [...] "one of the great leaders we have had in our history.

Manuel Fraga Iribarne

Streets are mine!

Manuel Fraga Iribarne