King Juan Carlos Announces Abdication: June 2, 2014

[RoyalNight]

What a news!

My question is, becasue I don't get it, has he already abdicated or he just announces a plan to do so?
If he has abdicated is Felipe now the King? Or is there no King as for today? or any other option?

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by GracieGiraffe

Makes me wonder what shoe is about to drop in the House of Bourbon.

we'll see what happens
my bet is that JC will keep his immunity

[MARG]

Originally Posted by katmen

The problem is that there is opportunity of male heir, and Spain kingdom is based on male-preference cognatic primogeniture unfortunately.,

Yes indeed. Just as Queen Elizabeth was only ever the heir presumptive and never Princess of Wales, unless Spain's laws of sucession change, so too will Infanta Lenor remain heir presumptive and never Princess of Asturias.

[maria-olivia]

yes Duke , but I hope it will not be too difficult for Queen Sophia ....

[Marchesina]

Originally Posted by MARG

Yes indeed. Just as Queen Elizabeth was only ever the heir presumptive and never Princess of Wales, unless Spain's laws of sucession change, so too will Infanta Lenor remain heir presumptive and never Princess of Asturias.

unless there will be a change in the succession law to a absolute primogeniture preference

[princess gertrude]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

we'll see what happens
my bet is that JC will keep his immunity

I was shocked like most to see this news this morning. Although I can't say that I'm disappointed at this announcement. Spain has needed a new image for a while now. And I completely agree DOM that JC will certainly keep his immunity, there is no way that he would abdicate the throne and not "strike a deal" of sorts. He is a very smart (street smarts) man and I'm sure that he dotted all of his "i's" and crossed all his "t's" before signing anything. Also, I hope that Letizia can find the "place" she has been searching for since her marriage. I think that she could do much to help the monarchy in Spain if given the chance.

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by RoyalNight

What a news!

My question is, becasue I don't get it, has he already abdicated or he just announces a plan to do so?
If he has abdicated is Felipe now the King? Or is there no King as for today? or any other option?

I was wondering that - if Juan Carlos has abdicated as per the letter he signed, who is currently the king?!

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by MissSaga

Why though? Can someone explain this to me? It's not a tradition in the SRF to abdicate like in the dutch RF, is it?

Well, as far as his televised speech goes, he is abdicating for more or less the same reasons as Queen Beatrix did - time for a change, new perspective etc.

[Alondra]

Originally Posted by MissSaga

Why though? Can someone explain this to me? It's not a tradition in the SRF to abdicate like in the dutch RF, is it?

It's difficult to explain why unless you understand Spain. Many Spaniards don't think the monarchy is a fair political choice of head of state. We did after all got rid of Alfonso XIII (JC grandfather) and JC himself was called the Breve "The Brief One".

No many people thought the monarchy could have lasted this long when I voted for the first time in 1978. But it did...and gave our democracy stability and groundness. Juan Carlos reigned in extraordinary circumstances. He was able to navigate a political minefield towards consensus, dialogue and discussion. This is his legacy....and his abdication wraps it up. He's doing what he needs to do for Spain.

There is simply no point of reference of his abdication with those of Holland and Belgium.

[dbarn67]

I watched the speech on BBC America this morning. I felt sadness for him but he made it clear several times that the new generation deserves a new leadership.

[Marchesina]

Originally Posted by Alondra

It's difficult to explain why unless you understand Spain. Many Spaniards don't think the monarchy is a fair political choice of head of state. We did after all got rid of Alfonso XIII (JC grandfather) and JC himself was called the Breve "The Brief One".

No many people thought the monarchy could have lasted this long when I voted for the first time in 1978. But it did...and gave our democracy stability and groundness. Juan Carlos reigned in extraordinary circumstances. He was able to navigate a political minefield towards consensus, dialogue and discussion. This is his legacy....and his abdication wraps it up. He's doing what he needs to do for Spain.

There is simply no point of reference of his abdication with those of Holland and Belgium.

I got that Spanish citizens don't see themselves as monarchists but as juancarlistas. so I believe there's no much consensus around Felipe. I hope he will be given the chance to show he's prepared and a good sovereign.

[ricarda]

Originally Posted by Alondra

No many people thought the monarchy could have lasted this long when I voted for the first time in 1978. But it did...and gave our democracy stability and groundness. Juan Carlos reigned in extraordinary circumstances. He was able to navigate a political minefield towards consensus, dialogue and discussion. This is his legacy....and his abdication wraps it up. He's doing what he needs to do for Spain.

There is simply no point of reference of his abdication with those of Holland and Belgium.

Well, perhaps the reference is that we all (he too I guess) saw that last year's abdications (2 monarchs and 1 pope) were experienced as something positive and brought the monarchies/church more popularity and dynamic.
Whereas in the past (for the generation of Elizabeth II and JC) abdications were seen as something negative.

I actually think that in the future "abdicating at a certain age" will be more common than "reigning until death".

[royalistbert]

Well let's just say Spanish republics have not gone that well. What have they had three failed republics.

[Alondra]

Originally Posted by Marchesina

I got that Spanish citizens don't see themselves as monarchists but as juancarlistas. so I believe there's no much consensus around Felipe. I hope he will be given the chance to show he's prepared and a good sovereign.

Actually many of us have moved on from "juacarlismo' to believing monarchy is still good for Spain.

Felipe and Letizia would be great monarchs. They are smart, hard working, approachable and low key.

[Marchesina]

Originally Posted by Alondra

Actually many of us have moved on from "juacarlismo' to believing monarchy is still good for Spain.

Felipe and Letizia would be great monarchs. They are smart, hard working, approachable and low key.

someone told me that as soon as the news spread, protests started throughout Spain asking for a referendum to choose between monarchy and republic. is it true?

[Dman]

Originally Posted by ricarda

Well, perhaps the reference is that we all (he too I guess) saw that last year's abdications (2 monarchs and 1 pope) were experienced as something positive and brought the monarchies/church more popularity and dynamic.
Whereas in the past (for the generation of Elizabeth II and JC) abdications were seen as something negative.

I actually think that in the future "abdicating at a certain age" will be more common than "reigning until death".

I agree, abdications aren't looked on as a negative acts anymore.

[MarNoe]

apparently the web site of the Spanish monarchy is down. I can't get to it either from the links in this site or directly.

[Alondra]

Originally Posted by Marchesina

someone told me that as soon as the news spread, protests started throughout Spain asking for a referendum to choose between monarchy and republic. is it true?

It's not true. I'm sure there are protests somewhere but right now the overwhelming feeling is shock and relief.

[lula]

King addresses Spaniards via television message to announce his abdication

King addresses Spaniards via television message to announce his abdication | In English | EL PA�S

Abdication news catches Spain by surprise

Abdication news catches Spain by surprise | In English | EL PA�S

Politicians react to royal bombshell

Politicians react to royal bombshell | In English | EL PA�S

Abdication comes at low point for monarchy in opinion polls

Abdication comes at low point for monarchy in opinion polls | In English | EL PA�S

[Pumuki]

Originally Posted by Marchesina

someone told me that as soon as the news spread, protests started throughout Spain asking for a referendum to choose between monarchy and republic. is it true?

I don't think so. I think there's a "protest" planned for today at 20:00 in Madrid, but I don't think there's a general feeling that a referendum should be made. It's usually the republicans and/or lefty parties interested in taking down the monarchy but I don't think they're a majority. They are probably the most noisy ones though.

Originally Posted by Marchesina

unless there will be a change in the succession law to a absolute primogeniture preference

There were talks about a change in the Constitution when Leonor was born, but they decided to wait since there was plenty of time to do it. But they may do it soon now, I don't know.