Future and Popularity of the Spanish Monarchy


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Al_bina said:
:previous:
What bloodlines? Most of the reigning European houses have downgraded theirs.
Click to expand...

Sadly, that's true. My country isn't a Monarchy anymore, but at least my Imperial Family knows how to keep an decent bloodline.

Yet, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And, in my opinion, that's the situation of the European Monarchies.
 
tamta said:
Thank you all so much for the opinions; -and especially Annie S for that excellent analysis!
The complementary question then, I think, is what is the stance of the new leader of the traditional Socialist party, Pedro Sánchez, towards the crown and Philippe?
In my opinion, a moderate yet charismatic left-wing figure, who, much like Gonzalez in the 80's would not shy away from left-wing feeling but at the same time be pragmatic, and understand the importance of the monarchy to embody national continuity (for a nation that has almost always been monarchical in his history), and be able to speak out his opinion, could solve the riddle of the left, restrain the extremities of the Podemos (should the two parties govern in alliance in the close future), and save the day for the monarchy..

The question is, is Sanchez such a figure..?
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That question is hard to answer without jugging him more "politically"... but the almost general consensus is that he is not.

I've seen at least one interview with him in which he's asked about his opinion about the monarchy. The answer was more or less that he is a moderate republican that thinks the monarchy is good for Spain.

No many people think that he's going to stand to the Presidency. The PSOE will elect their candidate next summer (I think) and the big names in the party don't seem to agree wether he's the best option. The most popular leader inside the PSOE right now is probably Susana Díaz, the President of Andalucía. Hers was the first name that popped out after Alfredo Pérez-Rubalcaba resigned. AP-R is the former leader of PSOE. He resigned after his party's enormous failure at the European elections, but he left the charge shortly after Felipe was proclaimed as King. Rumours back then said he waited until the abdication law passed in the congress to ensure the absolute suport of PSOE to the Crown (P-R has openly suported the monarchy for a long time). PP could have passed the law by using his current majority in parliament only, but the consensus among the two main parties was needed with such a debate in the streets.

Rumours were as well that King Juan Carlos and the then Prince Felipe had a meeting with Ms Díaz in which they asked her to stand for the PSOE's leadership, since she is considered Rubalcaba's disciple and shares many of his thoughts, also about the monarchy...but she refused in order to finish her mandate as Andalusian President. She instead suported Sánchez who finally was elected.

Now she has set forward the date for the next elections to the Presidency of Andalucía, and the bet is wether she will stand again to President of her region or will propose herself as the PSOE's candidate to the President of the Nation.
 
Monarchy [to me] represents something MORE, than mere elective politics, it places FAMILY, at the centre of a state's existence, honouring continuity; and the passage of generations in a society.

Also [and crucially] it removes the highest position from competition.. Politicians [with their dirty tricks] can NEVER attain it, neither can military adventurers..

That is why Monarchy [the oldest form of Human governance], is STILL the best, and will survive into the future...
 
wyevale said:
Monarchy [to me] represents something MORE, than mere elective politics, it places FAMILY, at the centre of a state's existence, honouring continuity; and the passage of generations in a society.

Also [and crucially] it removes the highest position from competition.. Politicians [with their dirty tricks] can NEVER attain it, neither can military adventurers..

That is why Monarchy [the oldest form of Human governance], is STILL the best, and will survive into the future...
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Beautifully well said, I couldn't agree. Only God knows how much I wish all of this to Brazil again.
 
Wouldn't the Spanish royal family (The ERF), especially after ex-king Juan Carlos abdicated, instead of being under threat rather be a necessary and valuable anchor in a changing and potentially tumultuous political situation that may be the case in Span during the next few years?

I mean, even though quite a few Spaniards support the political protest-movement it's my impression that just as many Spaniards are somewhat skeptic.
 
wyevale said:
Monarchy [to me] represents something MORE, than mere elective politics, it places FAMILY, at the centre of a state's existence, honouring continuity; and the passage of generations in a society.

Also [and crucially] it removes the highest position from competition.. Politicians [with their dirty tricks] can NEVER attain it, neither can military adventurers..

That is why Monarchy [the oldest form of Human governance], is STILL the best, and will survive into the future...
Click to expand...

I have thought exactly the same thing for years, but never managed to say it all so eloquently and concisely!
 
Duke of Marmalade said:
Time is running out for monarchies in Europe, maybe except the Brits, people simply want to elect their leaders and not have somebody who got the job because of a bloodline.
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That is incorrect. Time is not running out for the monarchies in europe, in fact many of them has more popular support than ever.

A constitutional monarchy is much better than a republic, in a constitutional monarchy we has a head of state who unites most of the people, while having a parliamentary system and an elected government. It works very well in the UK, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. These monarchies are going to survive as long as they has popular support, something they have. These countries are not going to become republics in my lifetime or in my children's lifetime, and I'm only 27.

The Swedish Monarchy has had its problems and the King is unpopular, and it has long been a majority in the parliament to remove the monarchy, but it's not going to happen. There is not strong support for a republic in Sweden and people are going to require a referendum, and we know who is going to win.

Spain and Belgium are more unstable countries, and I'm not sure about the future of these two monarchies, but I doubt that the Belgian monarchy is abolished soon.

The Spanish monarchy had popular support because of Juan Carlos popularity, but the support dropped when people saw him for what he is. I like Felipe and I think he does a good job, but I'm unsure of the monarchy's future in Spain.
 
Duke of Marmalade said:
With time passing, the development in Europe and the changing political climate, it might be Felipe's service to Spain to bring true democracy to Spain by abolishing himself at the end of his reign. I don't think that Felipe will be voted out but he might work with the government to pave out the way for a republic. I personally don't think that Leonor will be Queen if Felipe will live out his reign. Time is running out for monarchies in Europe, maybe except the Brits, people simply want to elect their leaders and not have somebody who got the job because of a bloodline.
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Duke of Marmalade, precisely this was the dominant view about the matter the day after the end of the First World War. A century passed, and the monarchies that survived the initial 'abolition-wave' are still there. These have been thoughts long-contemplated in Europe -they don't alter the strength of the monarchies to stand for continuity, which is want nations need most in times of transition and turbulence.
 
ANNIE_S said:
That question is hard to answer without jugging him more "politically"... but the almost general consensus is that he is not.

I've seen at least one interview with him in which he's asked about his opinion about the monarchy. The answer was more or less that he is a moderate republican that thinks the monarchy is good for Spain.

No many people think that he's going to stand to the Presidency. The PSOE will elect their candidate next summer (I think) and the big names in the party don't seem to agree wether he's the best option. The most popular leader inside the PSOE right now is probably Susana Díaz, the President of Andalucía. Hers was the first name that popped out after Alfredo Pérez-Rubalcaba resigned. AP-R is the former leader of PSOE. He resigned after his party's enormous failure at the European elections, but he left the charge shortly after Felipe was proclaimed as King. Rumours back then said he waited until the abdication law passed in the congress to ensure the absolute suport of PSOE to the Crown (P-R has openly suported the monarchy for a long time). PP could have passed the law by using his current majority in parliament only, but the consensus among the two main parties was needed with such a debate in the streets.

Rumours were as well that King Juan Carlos and the then Prince Felipe had a meeting with Ms Díaz in which they asked her to stand for the PSOE's leadership, since she is considered Rubalcaba's disciple and shares many of his thoughts, also about the monarchy...but she refused in order to finish her mandate as Andalusian President. She instead suported Sánchez who finally was elected.

Now she has set forward the date for the next elections to the Presidency of Andalucía, and the bet is wether she will stand again to President of her region or will propose herself as the PSOE's candidate to the President of the Nation.
Click to expand...

So enlightening. Thank you!
 
Spain never had a Republic, in the real sense, they had a Dictator.
 
COUNTESS said:
Spain never had a Republic, in the real sense, they had a Dictator.
Click to expand...
Actually, we have had two Republics -albeit very short ones.

First one lasted a little more than a year (from 1873 to 1874); the second one would last five (1931-1936) and was followed by a Civil War and then the Franco's dictatorship which was in fact a monarchy in name.
 
Finnish news channel YLE has an article about the spanish monarchy. They write that the face lift of the royal house has been successful, but Felipe and Letizia are still living uncertain times. The Podemos party, which is getting more popular, isn't a supporter of monarchy, although getting rid of monarchy isn't it's first goal right now.
Espanjan kuningashuoneen kasvojenkohotus onnistui Yle Uutiset yle.fi
Translation
 
I think the reign of Felipe is very succes for the moment. If keep away from the scandals they don't have any problem.
 
Thanks Duke. Very nice to read. And I think it is pretty evident that the abdication was a very good thing for the Spanish monarchy. Still, the journalist reaches this conclusion after talking to 3 people and could have been a bit more thorough.

Did Felipe really see Letizia on tv and set up a date as the journalist claims? I thought they 'met' while he visited TVE for an official duty.
 
Marengo said:
Thanks Duke. Very nice to read. And I think it is pretty evident that the abdication was a very good thing for the Spanish monarchy. Still, the journalist reaches this conclusion after talking to 3 people and could have been a bit more thorough.

Did Felipe really see Letizia on tv and set up a date as the journalist claims? I thought they 'met' while he visited TVE for an official duty.
Click to expand...

According to the official story, they met on 17 Oct 2002 at a dinner of Pedro Erquicia, a TV journalist and friend of Felipe. Felipe had seen Letizia on TV and wanted to meet her, so the casual dinner was arranged with with people from the journalist scene (Letizia went along with somebody else).

They met again on official duty in Galicia a bit later after the oil tanker desaster and in Oviedo during the PoA awards shortly before their engagement became public.
http://img.irtve.es/v/2601964/
 
The signs are positive but Felipe VI has reigned for less than a year so far,but I do hope that the reputation of the crown is being restored following the damaging past few years with the shenanigans of Inaki,Cristina and Juan Carlos.
 
An article in El Pais
"The new king has been prudent in Year I, concerned above all else to avoid making any major errors. And he has achieved that. He has made a number of gestures toward new social sectors. He has made contact with members of society from his own generation; he has not often been seen meeting with bankers or businessmen, who used to surround his father. He has had a strong presence abroad."
"After the next elections, he will have to establish himself as the king of all Spaniards, including those who want to do away with many elements of Spanish life and cause the most alarm for the more conservative sectors of society. As well as listening and responding to these new representatives, he must choose a major objective, one that will give his reign a sense of purpose."
THE SPANISH ROYAL FAMILY_ Felipe — the prudent king _ In English _ EL PAÍS
 
New poll in El Mundo, and the news is great for King Felipe.

-61.5% like the monarchy as the political form of the state (up from 49.9% last January before the abdication)

-74.7% have a good or very good opinion of King Felipe (last January it was 41.3% for King Juan Carlos)

-Support for the monarchy has risen in the voters of every political party (in some cases spectacularly like the socialist voters and over 50% of Podemos voters support the monarchy) except for IU (by far the smallest of the five political parties whose voters were polled)

Felipe VI: El Rey recupera el apoyo de los espa?oles a la Monarqu?a | EL MUNDO

The data was gathered before the King revoked Cristina's duchess title, I'm pretty sure the positive reactions would be seen on the poll if it had taken place after.
 
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AnaC said:
New poll in El Mundo, and the news is great for King Felipe.

-61.5% like the monarchy as the political form of the state (up from 49.9% last January before the abdication)

-74.7% have a good or very good opinion of King Felipe (last January it was 41.3% for King Juan Carlos)

-Support for the monarchy has risen in the voters of every political party (in some cases spectacularly like the socialist voters and over 50% of Podemos voters support the monarchy) except for IU (by far the smallest of the five political parties whose voters were polled)

Felipe VI: El Rey recupera el apoyo de los espa?oles a la Monarqu?a | EL MUNDO

The data was gathered before the King revoked Cristina's duchess title, I'm pretty sure the positive reactions would be seen on the poll if it had taken place after.
Click to expand...

But it is very interested to see the polls after the decision to King of revoked the title od Christina.
 
Great news for the King coming up to the 1st anniversary of his accession to the Throne.
 
Thank you AnaC for providing this poll! Of course he did the right thing, and it is no wonder Felipe is so popular! Great job so far...
 
TODOI said:
is tha Spanish Monarchy stable I was reading a post below and some were saying that the spanish people want to get rid of the Monarchy and the Royal Family are not very well liked, is this true?.... I always thought the spanish Monarchy was one of the most popular ones in Europe
Click to expand...

They ought to look at the Mexican, Texan and Spanish history and the influence they had in America and look at the royalty a little different for a second remembering how powerful Spain has been for so long before they go wanting to rid themselves of it's Royalty.
 
Even outside of Spain there is interest in what is going on with the SRF. AFAIK the Spanish language channels in the U.S. cover some of the events in their news
broadcasts. I'm pretty sure that Felipe and Letizia's wedding was aired live on Telemundo in 2004.
 
This week there were fierce debates in Barcelona. Since the last local elections there is a left-wing coalition led by Podemos forming a majority in the second biggest city of Spain. Last week a buste of King Juan Carlos was taken away from a piedestal in the city hall, placed in a box with unknown destination. The Partido Popular (the governing party in Spain but in the local opposition in Barcelona) took a state portrait of King Felipe VI into the municipal assembly. The portrait was placed on a chair, visible for all. Hastily a clerk from the council picked up the picture and removed it. The Council explained the bust of King Juan Carlos and the photo of King Felipe VI were removed "to trim the overdose of royal symbolism" in the city.

In the end of September there are elections in Catalonia and the separatists have announced to grab this opportunity to call for an independent republic of Catalonia, with Barcelona as capital. King Felipe VI, who regularly visits Spain, was at the same time visiting Barcelona, where he presided the investiture of new magistrates. In the presence of the separatist regional president, Mr Artur Más, the King stressed the importance of obedience to the democratic laws as an ultimate guarantee for the freedom of all citizens. "The Constitution is the fundamental law which has given us the most stable period ever in our history" so stated the King.

The words of King Felipe VI were immediately seen as an exceptional warning to the Catalonian regional president, that he is manoeuvering dangerously close to the limits of the state of law. The President remained silent in the presence of the King but outside he said to journalists that he felt not at all addressed by the King's words.

In the meantime the immensely popular former FC Barcelona footballer and trainer, now trainer of Bayern München, Pep Guardiola, has publicly declared to back Catalonian independence and the establishment of a republic. The city of Zaragoza has decided to rename the Pavillion Príncipe Felipe into that of Pavillion José Luis Abós, after a former local famous handball-player. The municipality of Montcada i Reixah (near Barcelona) has also removed the state portrait of King Felipe VI. In Cádiz the portrait of King Juan Carlos has been removed and no new portrait was ordered, now the empty space in the municipal council filled with a painting of art.

The Vice Prime Minister of Spain, Mrs Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría y Antón, has warned municipalities to respect the legal obligation to have a painting, a bust, a picture, etc. to depict the head of state. It seems the new left-wing Mayor of Madrid (from Podemos) has started all this by removing the photo of King Felipe VI out of her office in the Madrid City Hall. Mrs Sáenz de Santamaría sarcastistically stated: "Look, that is now their contribution to democracy".

El ‘efecto Colau’ contra sÃ*mbolos monárquicos se extiende | Cataluña | EL PAÍS

Needless to say that all this is pretty relativating the hurrah!-posts above about an assumed "boost in popularity". It is just where, when and who the pollers asked.
 
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