Future and Popularity of the Spanish Monarchy

[tamta]

I am interested to know how current political developments in 2012 have impacted the standing of the monarchy in Spain. We see a Republican Left arising in most regions -as now in Catalonia but also other ones-; how much do they prioritize the abolition of monarchy in their agenda, and what is their every-day stance towards the king and the current regime?
Also, as the anti-monarchist left seems to increase, is there any equivalent pro-monarchist movement -as the ones you have in Canada and Australia responding to the republicans there? Are the mainstream Castilian parties adequately backing up the monarchy?
I wonder if there's anyone who can enlighten us on these..

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

Spanish royals seek to regain approval - FT.com

 

[An Ard Ri]

I just dont see JC resigning or anyone how could force him to do so - on what basis? He will be King for life, in my opinion of course. And I just dont see how Felipe can just "remove the old regime" and have a fresh start - again, on what basis.

As Ricarda said, most people supporting the institution are not monarchists but Juancarlists. Juan Carlos more or less IS the institution, as King, he served a purpose, bringing democracy to Spain, therefore many people believe the institution has outlived its purpose anyway unless there is a new purpose for King Felipe, which according to the polls many people dont see. And because of Inaki, Felipe might not even be given the chance to find one.

Agree with you I cannot see the King abdicating,as far as he is concerned he is King for life.

What happens to the monarchy after King Juan Carlos is up to the Spanish people.Many monarchies have weathered storms,the Windsors had it all through the 1990's and emerged from it intact.

But perhaps I'm being too optimistic

 

[EIIR]

I just dont see JC resigning or anyone how could force him to do so - on what basis? He will be King for life, in my opinion of course. And I just dont see how Felipe can just "remove the old regime" and have a fresh start - again, on what basis.

As Ricarda said, most people supporting the institution are not monarchists but Juancarlists. Juan Carlos more or less IS the institution, as King, he served a purpose, bringing democracy to Spain, therefore many people believe the institution has outlived its purpose anyway unless there is a new purpose for King Felipe, which according to the polls many people dont see. And because of Inaki, Felipe might not even be given the chance to find one.

I'm no expert on Spanish history by any means, but didn't Juan Carlos's father basically agree to step aside so JC could be King? Did his father not announce in public that he formally gave up all right to the Spanish throne? That strengthened JC's position and the monarchy as a whole. I think he wants his son to reign as King of Spain so surely it's not beyond the realms of possibility for him to step aside to at least give Felipe a chance to save the institution, as opposed to carrying on doing what he's doing, which can only lead to ruin for the SRF?

The most recent polls suggest a roughly even split on the monarchy. In every country with such a system, the young tend to be less enthusiastic about it, but as they get older that mellows somewhat. It's the old cliche that you leave university a staunch socialist, but when you're sending your own kids off to university you're well on the way to being a conservative. Young people are much less likely to actually turn out to vote than their older compatriots should there be a referendum of some sort. If Brussels finally decides to do something about youth unemployment in Spain, in a couple of years things could be very different.

Most importantly, the monarchy still has the support of the government and, correct me if I'm wrong, most of the mainstream political parties.

I don't think a republic is inevitable. From a simple PR perspective, the SRF need to get Felipe, Letizia and their little daughters out in the public eye as much as possible. They're not perfect, but from where I'm sitting, they are the Borbons' best hope.

 

[ANNIE_S]

Let´s agree on disagree, then.
I think the impression you have of JC is the same that the average Spaniard had until last year, but things have changed very fast since then, based on whta I hear and read everyday.

I don´t think the king will ever abdicate either, and who knows, maybe things are better for Felipe when he´ll reach the throne.

But this is my opinion: I don´t think the king is going to recover his lost prestige, and I can´t picture the monarchy lasting too long after all this.

 

[EIIR]

I know very little about the situation in Spain, I can speak about 5 words of Spanish (I should never have picked German over Spanish at school since Spain still has royals, for the moment at least !) so I rely on those really dodgy Google translations. You'll forget more about Spain's recent history than I'll ever know, so if you see this reaction among your fellow countrymen and women, I can only accept it as fact.

I'm really just thinking about how the SRF might approach things going forward given the position they're in. I'm a monarchist, so I would be sad to see Spain become a republic. From what you're saying it seems that's very likely to happen and JC's response to this scandal has certainly not helped.

The Spanish people will have their say, which is exactly as it should be.

 

[lula]

The Spanish monarchy is in a difficult situation, but remains one of the public institutions most valued by the Spanish people. Spanish politicians, also affected by corruption and the consequences of the crisis are very poorly rated. The Crown, remains nevertheless seen as an important element in the country's stability.

The Spanish people will not forgive Urdangarín. The king will have to work to regain some lost prestige, but he will never regain the prestige he had fully. The prince, if he stays away from the scandals, is the hope... the person that Spain will need to recover as a country.

Now abdication is not a good option. The Prince can not inherit a discredited monarchy, it is necessary for legal proceedings conclude and things return to normal. The path of a historical king Juan Carlos can not end with a scandal.

Probably in the next few months will see a king trying to regain prestige, and a prince assuming increasing responsibilities. While trying to overcome the consequences of the scandal of Iñaki.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I'm no expert on Spanish history by any means, but didn't Juan Carlos's father basically agree to step aside so JC could be King? Did his father not announce in public that he formally gave up all right to the Spanish throne? That strengthened JC's position and the monarchy as a whole.

The late Count of Barcelona was displaced as the recognised heir to the Spanish throne by General Franco in 1969,he only renounced his rights in May 1977,his son was King since 1975.

Don Juan cede sus Derechos Dinásticos - YouTube

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

Franco hated Don Juan, JC's father, and played the family his whole life. For a long time, Franco was keeping Don Juan in the dark about who he was chosing as successor, him or his son. Over the years, their relationship worsened and Franco concentrated on Juan Carlos, grooming him as successor. In 1969 their relationship collapsed, when Franco gave Juan Carlos superior rights by making him Prince of Spain. Franco died in 1975 and it took Don Juan full two years to renounce his rights and he only did it because there was no other option in the political climate of the time.

The is no comparison between the difficulties of back then and today but one thing is sure, if Don Juan wasnt forced by the circumstances, and we are talking about another possible civil war, he would never have renounced his throne rights.

The same goes for today - JC will never renounce his throne to Felipe and the circumstances are nothing like those his father faced when he had to take his decision to give the throne (that he wasnt even occupying) to his son.

 

[ANNIE_S]

Traductor de Google

New poll from today, since we all love them so much
Just for updating some info.

 

[Charlotte_Aster]

What sort of a newspaper is El Razon? Neutral? Monarchist? Serious?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Artemisia]

What sort of a newspaper is El Razon? Neutral? Monarchist? Serious?
Thanks in advance.

La Razon is a conservative and pro-monarchy newspaper.
It's the 4th most popular newspaper in Madrid and the 6th most popular in Spain in general.

I should note though that the comments at the end of the article suggest not all readers are in agreement with the poll results. In fact, most of them aren't.

 

[ANNIE_S]

Monarchist and quite conservative.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Traductor de Google

New poll from today, since we all love them so much
Just for updating some info.

Thanks for posting that,its refreshing to note that as per that survey,80.3% of the Spanish are convinced that Prince Felipe will be a good King!

 

[ANNIE_S]

Thanks for posting that,its refreshing to note that as per that survey,80.3% of the Spanish are convinced that Prince Felipe will be a good King!

My pleasure, An Ard Ari
I think 80% is a big percentage, La Razon as we´ve said is a very monarchist and conservative newspaper, is logical thet they have published a flattering result to the Prince.
Anyway I think it shows that most of Spanish people have a good impression about him

 

[An Ard Ri]

Hey The King made a State Visit to India a few months ago, well after the storm of elephant hunting.
Was that covered well in Spanish media? Perhaps that coverage and reporting will give an idea of the regard media holds for the King.
In India I dont think any mentions were made about the 'embarassments'... But then it was not also glorified, though. They religiously reported about it..

Try the dedicated thread to the visit!

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f184/official-visit-to-the-republic-of-india-october-24-27-2012-a-33902.html

 

[ANNIE_S]

Interesting for this thread. The abdication of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands have lead (as was expected ) to a discussion in Spain about the possible abdication of King Juan Carlos.

Article from El Pais today: "Spanish and Dutch realities are different. The King won´t abdicate."

"To each person who has asked him, the King has always said that he will be King until his death".

Well, I can´t post the link to the article, because they seem to have removed it while I was writing this
If I find it again, I´ll post it

 

[An Ard Ri]

Interesting for this thread. The abdication of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands have lead (as was expected ) to a discussion in Spain about the possible abdication of King Juan Carlos.

Article from El Pais today: "Spanish and Dutch realities are different. The King won´t abdicate."

"To each person who has asked him, the King has always said that he will be King until his death".

Well, I can´t post the link to the article, because they seem to have removed it while I was writing this
If I find it again, I´ll post it

I was waiting for flurry of abdication articles in the Spanish media!

At least there's just the one at the moment.

 

[kathia_sophia]

the King said in a interview (i saw in tv) that he believes in the next generation and that his heir is doing an excelent duty towards the spanish people. but he said he wont give up in the constitution that he fights for, meaning that he wont abdicate but will continue his duty as The King of Spain.

Felipe will be King one day, but after the death of his father... (or a serious health disability)

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

The Netherlands are the only European Monarchy that practices abdication (not counting Liechtenstein or Luxembourg). Britain, Spain, the Nordic Countries, all Kings or Queens for life. It has been said many times, by himself, Queen Sofia etc that JC will not abdicate, let alone at this time, at that the prince will have to wait.

 

[Blog Real]

If the King of Spain gave up at this point the Kingdom risked ending. So if you don't give up people can start supporting the monarchy and the Prince Felipe can stay with a better path to the throne. I hope one day to see Felipe and Letizia on the Throne.

 

[Danishla]

the King said in a interview (i saw in tv) that he believes in the next generation and that his heir is doing an excelent duty towards the spanish people. but he said he wont give up in the constitution that he fights for, meaning that he wont abdicate but will continue his duty as The King of Spain.

Felipe will be King one day, but after the death of his father... (or a serious health disability)

I think Felipe will be a great king . . . and can be a great king. I don't believe in age necessaryly as a requirement, each person is different. In certain places it is a good thing for the monarch to stay for life . . .

 

[monarchist-us]

I just hope that the Spanish people don't forget their history and what HM, despite his many, many flaws, has done for them.

 

[clarkleo]

I just hope that the Spanish people don't forget their history and what HM, despite his many, many flaws, has done for them.

I totally support this. They are the best ambassadors we´ll have. It is just a shame that for protecting a thief as Iñaki the´ll loose everything

 

[ANNIE_S]

More articles, this one from El Mundo:

"Just weeks ago, his father said he was the "best prepared Prince of Asturias in the History". Don Felipe turns 45 with all the eyes put on the Dutch case, where Queen Beatrix have just announced that she will abdicate in favour of her son".

Traductor de Google


I would say we´ll going to have a nice bunch of articles related today, since it´s the Prince 45th birthday and after queen Beatrix´s abdication.

 

[An Ard Ri]

More articles, this one from El Mundo:

"Just weeks ago, his father said he was the "best prepared Prince of Asturias in the History". Don Felipe turns 45 with all the eyes put on the Dutch case, where Queen Beatrix have just announced that she will abdicate in favour of her son".

Traductor de Google


I would say we´ll going to have a nice bunch of articles related today, since it´s the Prince 45th birthday and after queen Beatrix´s abdication.

I'm sure we will and not all of them will be so nice.

 

[ANNIE_S]

I said "a nice bunch" meaning "a big bunch"

They aren´t going to be nice, especially after all the latest news aboout the Urdangarin affair

 

[An Ard Ri]

I said "a nice bunch" meaning "a big bunch"

They aren´t going to be nice, especially after all the latest news aboout the Urdangarin affair

Storm clouds will be gathering over Zarzuela over the next few months

 

[ANNIE_S]

Iñaki Gabilondo, a well-known and respected Spanish political journalist, has spoken asking the King to abdicate. He has a videoblog in El Pais, so he has spoken there and there is no transcription.
Sorry, but it´s to long to translate, I´ll do it later if I have time. I´ll leave the video for those who speak Spanish, because I find it very interesting.
Iñaki is IMO a very good journalist. I don´t agree with everything what he says, but he states the facts very nicely and coherently, which is appreciated. And the title of the article says it all:

"My Crown, or THE Crown"
O mi corona o la corona >> La voz de Iñaki Gabilondo >> Videoblog Política EL PAÍS


EDIT: I´ve write a summary, because I know that at least An Ard Ri reads them
-"With Revenga´s imputation, and with the trial approaching Infanta Cristina,King´s Juan Carlos´ reign is reeling, and time is not in his favour".
-"In the streets, reproaches growns and society is tired."
-"I have the impression that, depite the very delicate moment we are living, King Juan Carlos will have to choose between his reign and the Monarchy, because his reign has no longer future. Monarchy still can have it, if the chapter is changed at time."
-"Don Juan Carlos will have to do something similar to what his father, Don Juan, did, step aside, for the institution that they defend can have a future"
-"The King shouldn´t make a mistake, he enjoys the affection of most of the people, according to the polls, but that affection can be used to make the relief on a respected way, but it can´t be used to continue, because in my opinion he can´t continue for now on".
-"In my opinion, what the Crown must do righ now is preparing the relief as fast as possible, because time is not in his favour".

 

[An Ard Ri]

Iñaki Gabilondo, a well-known and respected Spanish political journalist, has spoken asking the King to abdicate. He has a videoblog in El Pais, so he has spoken there and there is no transcription.
Sorry, but it´s to long to translate, I´ll do it later if I have time. I´ll leave the video for those who speak Spanish, because I find it very interesting.
Iñaki is IMO a very good journalist. I don´t agree with everything what he says, but he states the facts very nicely and coherently, which is appreciated. And the title of the article says it all:

"My Crown, or THE Crown"
O mi corona o la corona >> La voz de Iñaki Gabilondo >> Videoblog Política EL PAÍS

I hope he doesn't bump into 'aunty Pilar' or she might berate him too like those poor journalist in November