Spain: Return of the Ultras?

On cue, shops and banks shut down all over Madrid. Government offices closed, loosing a flood of loyal bureaucrats onto the streets. They joined blue-shirted youths carrying the black-and-red banners of the Falange, aging veterans proudly sporting their Spanish Civil War ribbons, and thousands of ordinary men and women. By high noon, an estimated 500,000 Madrileños had crowded into the broad Plaza de Oriente, which faces the imposing 18th century royal palace. For two hours, the mob waved banners—one read GOD SAVE US FROM WEAK GOVERNMENT—sang hymns, chanted Falangist slogans, and shot...