Future and Popularity of the Spanish Monarchy

[LadyGabrielle]

I say let the people decide. Maybe Spain would be better off without a monarchy. An automatic passing of the crown is apparently not what the people want. It's like forcing them to accept without really being heard.

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[An Ard Ri]

Juan Carlos abdication prompts calls for referendum on Spain's monarchy

Juan Carlos abdication prompts calls for referendum on Spain's monarchy | World news | theguardian.com

[royalistbert]

Why would Spain be better off. It's economic problems will be the same. Republic or Monarchy.

[An Ard Ri]

I guess the abdication has opened the floodgates,hopefully once Felipe settles into his role as Monarch the calls for a referendum will gradually dissipate.

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by royalistbert

Why would Spain be better off. It's economic problems will be the same. Republic or Monarchy.

I agree - I fail to see how Spain would in any way be better off if it suddenly became a republic. Of-course if at least 75p/c of the population wanted a republic, then society in general would be happier with a president instead of a king, but all of the economic problems will remain the same.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by An Ard Ri

I guess the abdication has opened the floodgates,hopefully once Felipe settles into his role as Monarch the calls for a referendum will gradually dissipate.

People will give Felipe a run for his money There have always been strong republic movements in Spain, of course these are the days to become active.
https://twitter.com/thespainreport/s...432769/photo/1

[lula]

Being like Spanish politicians are, would be much worse.

The protests are against the monarchy, and in many cases against the Spanish political and institutional system. No serious democratic country, can change the form of State every 30 or 40 years ... and Spain in the last two centuries has had too many such experiments.

The leftist movements, republicans, independence groups ... always organized large demonstrations and make lots of noise. But if they really want changes, they will not succeed with banners and shouting, it must achieve with elections and in the Parliament. They are experts in promising things and tell people what they want to hear, but that often collide with the reality of today's world.

The economic crisis has increased the discontent of the people, especially the youth with the system... now the head of the system changes, and thus gives way to another generation to another way of seeing things and that will give way to change.

[Al_bina]

Usual Spaniards face difficulties anyway and are said to leave the country. King Felipe will not be much better than his father. The novelty of hope and change wears off very fast.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Felipe will have to assist the reform of the political system that is sick to the core, in the end he may abolish himself if this is what Spain wants.

[Marengo]

Aren't the only protests of note in Madrid and Barcelona? Not surprising due to the present economic situation, every time I visited these cities in the last years there was some sort of demonstration going on. A referendum at this point doesn't make sense and it won't be fair as the issue is not the monarchy alone but the entire system. The rapid organisation of these protests show that existing organised anti-government groups are behind it.

The protests seem rather ungrateful, JC shot an elephant but that hardly erases his role in Spain, esp. the role he played in the process of democratisation of the country. A role that these very protestors are profiting from at the moment.

[Avicenna]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

King Felipe will not be much better than his father.

Well, my impression is that he is more demure. Surely he won't hunt elephants and will be loyal to his wife .

And yes, Duke of Marmelade, a reform under the auspices of Felipe might indeed happen, and yes, I do believe he would step back, if this would help. Though I don't believe he would do it lightheartedly. It will be interesting to watch future developements unfolding.

[An Ard Ri]

As per El Pais the police estimates around 20,000 anti monarchy protesters in Puerta del Sol.

El Rey de España abdica: Directo | La policía cifra en unos 20.000 los manifestantes en la Puerta del Sol | Política | EL PAÍS

[Al_bina]

Being demure and having a wholesome PR image (not hunting elephants and being loyal to his wife) mean nothing to people facing problems. It would be difficult to determine what kind reforms King Felipe can initiate or support. One might assume another round of austerity measures are going to happen soon.

[An Ard Ri]

Sizeable enough crowds and rather loud at the The Puerta del Sol

Voces republicanas en las plazas | Espa?a | EL MUNDO

Very tasteless protest in Valencia


https://twitter.com/JuanNietoIvars/s...003264/photo/1

[Cory]

There are republican groups which organized riots in favour of the republic in different cities forgetting the disaster of the two spanish republics:

http://www.elmundo.es/espana/2014/06...a258b4570.html

[lula]

Those are stupid details for joke ... King Juan Carlos has always hunted ... the problem is to go to a luxury hunting in Africa in the worst week of the economic crisis with the country to collapse.

The Crown, as political parties and other Spanish institutions are aware of they have reached a point when a change is necessary... and in that change is key a generational change. It should go from those who made the transition and now have more than 70 years, to those who grew up with it and are in their 40s.

If the Head of State himself understands it, probably other institutions follow the same process ... and they must do because it is inevitable for them to survive.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by TLLK

So for now the constitution has to be amended to allow for JC's abdication and an amendment for primogeniture regardless of gender?

No, a "normal" Bill will be offered to the Cortes (the Parliament) regarding the intention of the King to abdicate the kingship in favour of his legal successor, the Prince of Asturias.

Constitution of the Kingdom of Spain
Section 57
1. The Crown of Spain shall be inherited by the successors of His Majesty Don Juan Carlos I de Borbón, the legitimate heir of the historic dynasty. [...]
5. Abdications and renunciations in connection with the succession to the Crown shall be settled by an organic Act.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Cory

There are republican groups which organized riots in favour of the republic in different cities forgetting the disaster of the two spanish republics:

Voces republicanas en las plazas | Espa?a | EL MUNDO

This weekend will see the annual Armed Forces Day, the last one presided by the King. Then large crowds are attracted to the spectacle and usually loud cheers, applause and "Viva El Rey!" is shouted. Republican tendences are of all times in Spain, the division developed since the Civil War still exists and is cultivated. At the same time there are also areas in Spain where Franco is seen as "not too bad" for Spain.

[Cory]

Fortunately the majority of the people is in favour of Monarchy and of the future King Felipe VI.

There is a royalist majority in the country.

There is only a minority for the republic.

All the polls show more than 60% of the population are in favour of the future King Felipe VI.

[DukeJonathan81]

Originally Posted by Cory

Fortunately the majority of the people is in favour of Monarchy and of the future King Felipe VI.

I remember reading an article (sorry, can't recall what it was called or where I was actually reading it) that said popularity for the Spanish Monarchy had dropped to 48%, I do hop that isn't true but with all these protests and demonstrations it's looking like the Spaniards really want rid of the House of Bourbon :(