Sign of the times: row over street art shines light on Spain’s divisions

Madrid council orders removal of street art featuring left and rightwing heroes as Socialist-led government proposes prosecution of Franco-era crimes

For the past 11 months, the two walls that make up a street corner in east Madrid have engaged in a mute but bitter debate that mirrors the faultlines, fights and ferocities of Spanish politics.

On the left wall are 24 street signs commemorating poets and writers including Federico Garcia Lorca, Miguel Hernandez, Victoria Kent and Carmen Laforet.