Spain marks 42 years since return of democracy as retired officers dissent

PM lauds 1978 constitution after some former armed forces members rue demise of Franco dictatorship

Spain has celebrated the 42nd anniversary of the constitution that ushered the country back to democracy following the end of the Franco dictatorship, as some former members of the armed forces made inflammatory declarations.

The prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said the 1978 constitution was the greatest success of our collective history" and hailed 42 years of peace, co-existence and freedom".