Future and Popularity of the Spanish Monarchy

[tamta]

Originally Posted by Cory

Let's hope the riots will be less present that day.

Protesters always protest -and they prefer the days that ensure publicity. It is up to the authorities not to let them stage their protests anywhere they like..
Republicans marched at the centre of London during the Jubilee festivities, but they were not allowed to do it close to any area and streets where the festivities would take place..
Spanish republicans had again protested at the wedding of Felipe with Letizia, but again they were allowed to do it only at the margins of the city..
Same thing should happen that day. And I'm sure that well-wishers to the new royal couple will be far more..

[GracieGiraffe]

Personally, I think that the protests will die down. Felipe comes to the throne with an awful lot on his shoulders - let's face it, he's not going to fix Spain, nor should he be expected to.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by 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.

I was horrified and angry at those photos of the elephant, But I agree here 100%.

I am old enough to remember how popular and respected JC was, particularly after the coup attempt of 1981. I remember the People Magazine cover of him with the headline "EUROPE'S NEW HERO" like it was yesterday. He was considered untouchable...beyond reproach.

I think he deserves to be remembered for more than the mistakes and blunders of the last few years.

[ricarda]

Originally Posted by Jacknch

I think it is very important for republican and monarchy supporters alike to be able to demonstrate and have their voices heard publicly without fear of arrest or worse. In fact to my mind, there is more democracy in having the ability to protest unhindered than there is in having the ability to elect one's head of state once in a blue moon.
Accordingly, the protesters are using their democratic right to protest and that is a good thing. Naturally, as the majority of people support the system of monarchy, democracy is continually served by retaining said monarchy. I would go as far as to say that the monarchy is as democratic as a republic with similar levels of support.

I agree, demonstrations are a sign of a healthy democracy.
And since JC came to the throne by Franco's will and not by the peoples' will, I wonder if a referrendum would not be the best thing at the moment and the logical endpoint of JC's reign which was seen as a transition from dictatorship to democracy.
So why not let democracy work now? Let the Spanish people for once and all vote if they want a constitutional monarchy or not.
If the majority wants it (as the polls show, but a poll is just a poll) wouldn't that give Felipe and Leonor a better standing in the future?

[ANNIE_S]

Originally Posted by ricarda

If the majority wants it (as the polls show, but a poll is just a poll) wouldn't that give Felipe and Leonor a better standing in the future?

Yes, but what if the majority doesn´t want it?

I think that is the key point. We are facing in Spain a great economical, social and political too crisis.

I don´t think any power force wants to bring out the possibility of a change in the system such as stablishing a new Republic. The country doesn´t have the needed stability to raise that discussion right now, I´m afraid.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Thousands of anti-monarchist protesters take to streets of Spain calling for a republic after King Juan Carlos abdicates after 39 years | Mail Online

[Marty91charmed]

Give felipe a chance for God's sake!

[Mirabel]

Originally Posted by ANNIE_S

Yes, but what if the majority doesn´t want it?

I think that is the key point. We are facing in Spain a great economical, social and political too crisis.

I don´t think any power force wants to bring out the possibility of a change in the system such as stablishing a new Republic. The country doesn´t have the needed stability to raise that discussion right now, I´m afraid.

Do you think there would be all this protest if Felipe and Letizia were more popular?

I don't know; perhaps Felipe is popular. But I know Spaniards have never liked Letizia, and I wondered if this has made a difference in the general reaction to the abdication?

[ANNIE_S]

Regardless what people may think about the Princess, the protest are against the monarchy as institution, not against her.

[An Ard Ri]

The media have mainly focused on the protests against the Monarchy,have there been any pro monarchy celebrations in Spain?

[muriel]

There was a comment on the BBC this morning that whilkst there have been protests, they are far less than expected.

[Elenath]

Originally Posted by Mirabel

I don't know; perhaps Felipe is popular. But I know Spaniards have never liked Letizia, and I wondered if this has made a difference in the general reaction to the abdication?

I don't really know that much about the Spanish royalty. What exactly is there about Letizia that the Spanish don't like??

[An Ard Ri]

Originally Posted by muriel

There was a comment on the BBC this morning that whilkst there have been protests, they are far less than expected.

So its not all bad news then

[Mirabel]

Originally Posted by Elenath

I don't really know that much about the Spanish royalty. What exactly is there about Letizia that the Spanish don't like??

Well, mostly they think she is cold and distant. Plus more conservative members of the public didn't think Felipe should have married a divorcee.
Then there was controversy over an alleged illegal abortion (from that first marriage).

All of that means they never warmed up to her.
I don't know whether Felipe is personally popular or not.

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by muriel

There was a comment on the BBC this morning that whilkst there have been protests, they are far less than expected.

Well, I don´t dare to imagine how these protests would look like if there were even more....
To me the picture from that Daily mail article looked pretty threatening!

[Cory]

The protests were organized by marxists and anarchists and were not against Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano.

[Osipi]

I think its a part of human nature that when faced with a change, there will always be those out there that believe they have the right ideas on how to build a better mousetrap so to speak. I think I would be more worried should there be a society where change is just accepted at face value with the people resigned to what is presented to them in an apathetic manner.

[Winnie]

Originally Posted by Mirabel

Well, mostly they think she is cold and distant. Plus more conservative members of the public didn't think Felipe should have married a divorcee.
Then there was controversy over an alleged illegal abortion (from that first marriage).

All of that means they never warmed up to her.
I don't know whether Felipe is personally popular or not.

After 10 years of service to Spain, people just better get over their hate of Letizia and praise God that he didn't marry one of his models. Letizia has brains and will now be permitted to use and help Spain. Apparently she is a helper to Felipe and a protector of his children.
As far as divorce.....that is nothing like adultery of the King. Adultery is breaking a holy commandment whereas divorce can be obtain in certain circumstances by biblical writings and approved by church. I believe Sofia will stand beside Letizia and girls from now on and also Felipe's older sister, Elena will be closer to Felipe and Letizia then before. Elena might be the biggest help of all. I personally think she would love doing it. Doubt if Cristina will have that same honor.

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by ANNIE_S

Regardless what people may think about the Princess, the protest are against the monarchy as institution, not against her.

I believe you are right. The protests per se have nothing to do with Crown Princess Letizia. Spaniards are deeply sceptical about the clean slate of the old system. King Felipe and his government may fail to introduce effectual reforms to improve their lives.

[Bine221]

Let them demonstrate.
And let´s have a look in one year´s timeframe. I am sure, they will be happy with the progress of King Felipe and Queen Letizia.
Similar to Netherlands and Belgium today.
BYe Bine