Which Country Could Next Abolish Their Monarchy?

[UserDane]

Originally Posted by Oppie

This is the second time I have seen these three countries listed as the safest and again I will point out that these are the three ruled by women. Intersting eh ?

Let's hope some of the grey men in charge at the Japanese royal household reads this

[Laviollette]

Originally Posted by Royal Fan

Prince Philippe is Albert II son not Nephew. :)

Right, I meant his son.

[Henri M.]

Originally Posted by Oppie

This is the second time I have seen these three countries listed as the safest and again I will point out that these are the three ruled by women. Intersting eh ?

The Netherlands are even ruled by four consecutive Queens:

Adelheid Emma Wilhelmina Theresia Princess von Waldeck und Pyrmont (1858-1934)
Regentess of the Kingdom (1890-1898)

Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau (1880-1962)
Queen of the Netherlands (1890-1948)

Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Duchess of Mecklenburg (1909-2004)
Queen of the Netherlands (1948-1980)

Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1938)
Queen of the Netherlands (1980)

[Laviollette]

New Poll: Spaniards content with their monarchy

AngusReid Global Monitor
October 14, 2006

- Many adults in Spain believe it is not necessary for their country to become a republic, according to a poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser. 65 per cent of respondents support the continuation of the monarchy.

article: http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/inde...m/itemID/13464

[Saturn]

The main problem in Spain is that young people think it's not necessary a monarchy, and now another problem is the referendum to change the constitution in order that women can be heirs to the throne.
Many people say that if a referendum is held for, at the same time they could vote for or against the monarchy.
It's for that reason that the royal family are afraid of the referendum, and tries to postpone it as much as possible, saying that there are more than enough time, because the heir to the throne is Felipe and not Leonor.

[Furienna]

I don't think either Spain or Norway will get rid of their monarchies. Felipe and Haakon can sure become kings without anything to worry about. Our Swedish monarchy is safe too. Our king has been criticised for some things he has said, but our royal house far from the scandalous royal houses of UK and Monaco. Victoria will get a thrown without anything to worry about too. I actually don't think any royal house will be overthrown, just because of the fact, that having a monarch is more special today than what it used to be. Having a monarch instead of a president will give a country something special, something traditional. So I actually don't think any royal family has to worry.

[Ygraine]

All of them it is an inevitable progression

[Madame Royale]

Originally Posted by Ygraine

All of them it is an inevitable progression

I respectfully disagree

Monarchies aren't just governmental institutions, but cultural one's aswell and if any current day Kingdom decides to adopt a republican administration as its own, it would have to be a reflection of the royal family's worth, and not because its deemed by some as inevitable when actually, that is not so.

Its about staying relevant and true to the social, cultural, economic and governmental factions of that society and if they are able to maintain that relevance then there is no need for change.

Progressing forward in no way means the republican alternative and while it works well for the United States (respectively) amongst many, this does not make it the right alternative for all countries

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by rosana

If you would hear the monegasques you would change your mind, they adore their princely family, they have a high living standard and most important:the Grimaldi´s are the owners of half the principality,the prince is a very important part of the government.

Not to mention that unlike the other royal houses we're discussing here, Monaco is a de facto dictatorship. Albert is the boss, literally. He <owns> that tiny country. Monaco, for those who may not know, is NOT a democracy like, say, Spain is or Belgium or France or..etc. Monaco is a one-family band. Therefore, Monaco might be the last country to overthrow its sovereign, but as it's so 'big brother' with spies everywhere noting inhabitant's every move, they simply wouldn't dare!

[princess olga]

Originally Posted by Henri M.

The (un)popularity of a Heir(ess) is no any problem because the fundaments of a state are not build on popularity.

[..]
King Albert II of the Belgians at the other hand is an easygoing, goodnatured and simple bourgondic guy. Most likely his popularity is much bigger than that of Queen Beatrix. But his throne is standing on a swamp while the Dutch throne seems fixed on a mega-concrete structure. This is the proof that personal popularity says nothing about the stability of a throne.

Candidate numero uno for republic: Belgium (which will end) split into the republic Flanders and the republic Wallonia. Conform the 'velvet separation' of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and in Slovakia.

Very intriguing observation again! Must say I completely agree with your theory, unfortunately for Albert of the Belgians. Should we get worried and dream up a plan B for his son, prince Philippe to occupy his days with once he's kicked off that throne? What does his resume look like? Could he hold down a job and if so, what would it be?!

Mathilde supposedly is a logopedist, someone who helps you pronounce words better basically. But my oh my, I love the gal but the way she speaks Dutch, a language she should have mastered a looooong time ago but doesnt, the way she manages to butcher the Dutch language, it seems she'd need professional help in that department herself! In other words, she and Philippe seem, well, pretty unemployable if it came down to it--no skills whatsoever really, bar a pilot's license perhaps?
Hopefully one of our members here might either prove me wrong on this one or recommend a nice profession for soon-to-b-unemployed?? prince Philippe & Spouse.

[Lox]

If we look at the rest of the world, then I would say Nepal (it get's decided in June, I believe). King Gyanendra screwed up big time.

I also believe that Australia will become a republic when Elizabeth II dies.

[Enrique]

Spanish Poll
Do you agree with Spain remaining a monarchy, or would you prefer to have a republic?
Monarchy
65%
Republic
25%
Not sure / No reply
10%


Source: Instituto Opina / Cadena Ser
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted on Sept. 28, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

[Enrique]

I think that spain never become a republic, no at this time, im sure

[RoyalKnottie]

I would guess that Spain is the most likely IMO to become a republic because there has only been one ruling king since the death of Franco. I imagine with each passing generation the likelihood of the monarchy being over thrown will decrease.

Norway seems at risk, especially since they have a relatively short history of their own monarch, but the NRF doesn't seem to be to stuffy like other monarchies.

[crisiñaki]

What was the last deposed monarchy in Europe? As far as I know, the only one deposed after WWII was the Greek, but it has had a lot of issues other monarchies never had.

Anyway, Spain and Belgium are the least "strong" monarchies because of the huge independentist streak and the fact that there have been some strong figures linked to the monarchy (Baudouin and JC) so people may not feel that their heirs are up to the task

I would recommend Prince Felipe to learn Euskera and Gallego, because he'll be king of ALL spaniards, not only the castillian/catalan ones and Princess Letizia should learn Catalan, Euskera and Gallego as well, because they won't be respected as much if they don't show some respect to the autonomic communities that form Spain nowadays (The actual King and Queen don't speak those languages but they earned people's respect so many years ago, when the languages weren't such a huge issue in Spain)

I adore Princess Mathilde, for me she's what a royal should be but please please please learn Dutch! she speaks a beautiful french but her dutch is beyond awful

[Quin]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

I respectfully disagree

Monarchies aren't just governmental institutions, but cultural one's aswell and if any current day Kingdom decides to adopt a republican administration as its own, it would have to be a reflection of the royal family's worth, and not because its deemed by some as inevitable when actually, that is not so.

Its about staying relevant and true to the social, cultural, economic and governmental factions of that society and if they are able to maintain that relevance then there is no need for change.

Progressing forward in no way means the republican alternative and while it works well for the United States (respectively) amongst many, this does not make it the right alternative for all countries

I couldn't agree with you more and this is the very reason that the European monarchies are on shaky ground. Other than tourism, I have a hard time finding their relevance. Remember, royals are to be bound by duty and not celebrity. Recent marital choices by themselves place the whole idea of monarchy at risk and make it an easy target.

[Marengo]

Tourism is not a reason to keep a monarchy. In my country that is never used by people to show the use of the monarchy. It is more that there is an a-political leader of the nation that can become a strong national symbol. For presidents that is more difficult as they alway represent a political party and thus just a small part of the country. Apart from that, te monarchy usually belongs o the cultural heritage of a country, which is important to.

The counrty most likely to become a republic is the country that doesn t need such a symbol anymore, as it stops to exsist. So I would gather Belgium, though I hope that they will find a way to reunite the walloons and flamish people.

[MissSaga]

Spain unfortuntaly ..

[marine2109]

For me; Spain!!!

[Henri M.]

The Flemish anti-monarchistic and separatist party 'Vlaams Belang' has caused a riot by demanding that the portraits of the King and the Queen should be removed out of the municipal halls / town halls.

Reason: the Flemish municipalities do ressort under the Flemish Government and -Parliament and are no longer a part of the Federal structure. Asked about this, the Flemish minister of the Interior stated that there is no obligation for municipalities to have a portrait of the King in the municipal hall. Shortly after World War I (1914-1918) the then minister of the Interior has issued a circulaire in which he advised the municipalities that it was 'desirable' to hang a portrait of the Sovereign in public buildings.

In a few municipalities the portraits there are no portraits of the Sovereign anymore. Not especially to please the party 'Vlaams Belang' but just due to any lack of interest to have a portrait of the King in the municipal hall.

Source: GVA

A few fractions of 'Vlaams Belang' now will start an action to have the Belgian national flag removed out of municipal halls, for the same reason (municipalities are a responsibility of Flanders, not of the Federal Government).