Future and Popularity of the Spanish Monarchy


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The government of the Generalitat is beginning to get entangled in its own trap, and its lies begin to emerge. The search for mediation and the appeal to dialogue is just a strategy to gain time, because not even between them they agree.

On Sunday they felt successful because their strategy of setting a trap for the Spanish police worked ... but with the days, everything is changing.

Silent Catalans are rebelling, the false wounded have been discovered, money is fleeing from Catalonia, tourists cancel their reservations. They have harassed the police, the civil guard, their families and children so brutally, that thousands of Spaniards are going out to defend them.

As you say Duke, they would be happy with an arrest (before or after their destination will be prison) because they need martyrs for the cause. They are running out of arguments, and they need to continue mobilizing their masses.

I believe that the members of the Catalan government are not going to back down, they prefer to appear as heroes to their followers, if only for a while and that leads to disaster in Catalonia... to admit that they were wrong.

On the other hand, the more sunk the Catalan independence government, the easier it will be for the Spanish government to apply the law.

The violence I will be inevitable. The CUP a group of the radical left is in the Catalan government, they are the ones that most pressure their partners with the most radical ideas, and have shown previously that they can be violent. For the moment, for the sake of independence, they are teaching their followers to be peaceful. But nobody really knows how long that will last if things do not go the way they want.
 
The moment the independistas become violent, it would be the end for them. Yet I've never seen peaceful revolutions for secessions that succeeded.
 
I'd like to give the King my unequivocal congratulations. He spoke primarily in defence of the Law, without respect for which there is no such thing as a civilised society and without which no government of any kind is legitimate. This goes beyond saving the territorial integrity of Spain, the constitutional monarchy or the King himself, it's about stopping anarchy and illegal power-grabs.

The Catalan government acted illegally, and, what is more, in fully conscious contempt of the law, as upheld by the courts, in holding the referendum. The result has no value.

I hope with all my heart that the situation calms down and Puigdemont's balloon bursts as the risks and angers of secession become evident. Felipe VI may yet be credited with averting a disaster with his brave clear and simple message down the line.

Viva El Rey!
 
Speaking up for Catalonia’s ‘silent majority’


 
The demonstrations for Unity today in Madrid look HUGE, and the 'white' demonstrations [for dialogue betwixt opponents] in Barcelona also seem very well supported.

It is good to see...
 
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the monarchy in Spain is guaranteed for many years. Last Sunday in Spain we were all scared of what we saw on television, the referedum was unconstitutional, had been declared by the judges illegal for violating the constitution, was infringing powers that correspond to all Spaniards, a few wanted to appropriate the will of all the Spanish people. On Monday they were threatening, neither President of the Government nor anyone spoke, this was disconcerting, the only judges acting and the police, but on Tuesday when the King came out with a serious, very hard tone, and he remember that those Catalan politicians were against of the law, violating the law, ... and he said that this was unacceptable, antidemocratic, had fractioned Catalan society ,and the peaceful coexistence of people, and pointed to the authorities who were guilty .... Seriously, everything he calmed down, the next day we were all more calm, with the security of our state and law and our institutions, with patience that is what the Spaniards have, and we were all calm .. people in the street said, "HE has spoke very well, "" very well done, "and everyone repeated the words of the King," unacceptable "" irresponsibility "...... I think his message reassured us all, united us, and our fears disappeared. I think he has shown that the Spanish monarchy is very useful and necessary .
 
I have read many commentators in West-European newspapers being surprised or disappointed that King Felipe played the card of the Government.

Of course the King did. He had no any other option. The King reigns, the Government rules. As in any constitutional monarchy. The commentators showed a surprising lack of understanding for the freedom a constitutional King has to speak out: namely none.

When Flanders wants to break away from Belgium, King Philippe will speak the words the Prime Minister has sanctioned. He has no other option. When Bavaria wants to leave the Bundesrepublik Deutschland, the Bundespräsident will speak the words the Chancellor has sanctioned. He has no other option. When rich and overwhelmingly "Remain" London wants to break away from the UK, the Queen will speak the words sanctioned by the Prime Minister. She has no other option.

Would King Felipe have exceeded the bandwith the Government allowed, he would risk a constitutional clash with the Government. And he has nothing to gain with that because trying to become in love with the Catalonian separatists is useless: they want a republic anyway, no matter what the King would have said and no matter which tone was used.
 
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Don Carlos Javier de Borbón-Parma y Orange-Nassau, the Duke of Parma and Piacenza gave a comment on the situation in Spain and suggested the old Carlist ideal of a federalization of Spain: link. Don Carlos reminded that he was a Spanish citizen himself.

The Duke's comment translated:


To my dear Carlists,

During the last months, and especially since last August in which criminal terrorism did hit Barcelona, a city I feel a special fondness for and of which I can not speak without extreme affection for being the city where my father Carlos Hugo passed away, and in which I introduced my son Carlos Enrique to you.

I have been very aware of the events that were happening in Spain without wanting to express myself because I had the hope that the democratically elected politicians and all citizens would fulfill their obligations for seeking the communion and not the confrontation.

Unfortunately it has not been so, and in the light of the events that are taking place, aware of the obligations that lie with me as a representative of the historical legacy of the Carlist dynasty, with the memory of my predecessors, with the sacrificed and persistent loyalty shown to them for two centuries by thousands and thousands of Spaniards, and ultimately with the historical significance of Carlism, but also as a Spanish and European citizen, I feel urged to move and share with you the following reflections in order to help to outline a path different from that of confrontation already predicted.

Let us remember our longstanding traditional proposal, which is more necessary than ever. Federalism, as an updated expression of the fortitude of the old kingdoms, is the solution that can guide the aspirations of the different nationalities that live in Spain.

The specific moment we live in is worrying. The situation in Catalonia shows that the political authorities, both the Spanish Government and those of the Generalitat, lead us to a scenario of confrontation and fracture. And in no case is it permissible for those who have the responsibility of governing to lose control over events.

The current crisis has taken such a turn that it must be remembered that the fundamental priority to be defended, and defended by both sides of the conflict, is Concordia (oneness). If this harmony is broken, everything else will disappear, legality will disappear, the sense of community will disappear, and the possibility of solving any kind of problem will disappear, opening up all sorts of negative feelings that will enslave future generations in our beloved Spain.

I am convinced that the vast majority of citizens want a serene dialogue that leads to a pact. And this agreement is still possible within the framework of an updated Constitution and with respect for the aspirations of the Catalan people. This dialogue, from the will to achieve harmony, must take place now, before it is too late. I am sure that, and only then, this will lead to an immediate, future and lasting peace.

For all of the above, I ask my faithful Carlists that, whatever their feelings and sensibilities are, to refrain from participating in acts of confrontation, and whenever possible violence, that my occur, to the utmost extent of their possibilities, and offer mediation. Let us not polarize the situation. We must be the voice of calm and reason. I understand the deep emotions that can be triggered by the situation of today, but we must look to our history and draw the lessons that it offers us. Violence does not lead to durable solutions.

I ask all the Spaniards to look around and understand that there is no "them" because we are all a "we". I ask the political representatives who have the courage and greatness to resolve the dangerous situation that has led to Catalonia and the rest of the Spains, by the paths of harmony and negotiation.

My deep solidarity with those who are suffering the consequences of the confrontation created by this climate of tension.

 
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There is something that is even above the government, which is the Constitution.

"The King is the Head of State, the symbol of its unity and permanence"

And a government alone can not change the Constitution, but the majority support of the Spanish citizens. According to the surveys, only 10% of Spaniards would be in favor of the independence of territories within Spain. The attack on the current government is mainly due to political interests, because the reality is that it does not have much margin to give to the Catalan independentists what they want.
 
As expected, Don Sixto Enrique de Borbón-Parma y Bórbon-Busset (the uncle of the Duke of Parma), the self-proclaimed leader of "traditional Carlism" stuck a less conciliatory tone (link):

Two days after the separatist referendum convened in Catalonia by a seditious and illegitimate autonomous government, we still do not know whether the de facto government of Spain is going to fulfill its duty and prevent their celebration.

These are serious hours. The pro-separatist propaganda unleashed abroad has not been counteracted by the means available to the State. The government of Mariano Rajoy seems to continue the suicidal policy of ignorance towards the authentic Catalan tradition and in concessions to nationalism, which for many decades has been preparing the explosive situation that has now been unleashed.

Catalonia is a fundamental and inseparable part of the Crown of Aragón, which integrates the Spanish Monarchy. It is a Spanish region. Any argument to the contrary ignores reality and contradicts history.

It is painful to see how the region which, since the eighteenth century, stood out as the most counter-revolutionary and anti-jacobin* in Spain, is today largely controlled by the most extremist revolutionaries and the most radical Jacobins. For the more Jacobin or liberal the authoritarian centralism is in the Catalan nationalism, therefore the more anti-Catalan it is.

In 1872 my great-uncle Carlos VII restored the fullness of the privileges of the Crown of Aragón, and amongst these the rights of the Principality of Catalonia. The liberal conspiracy, supported by the lodges and by the foreign powers, prevented the victory of the legitimate King of Spain, which would have avoided the subsequent disasters.

Today it is necessary to prepare to defend the unity of the Spains, above all other demands, as the Carlist always did when the country was in danger. I ask the Carlists and all the Spaniards of good will, when necessary, to collaborate with the security forces and the Armed Forces to stop the separatist attempt and preserve the unity and independence of the country, whatever the attitude finally taken by the current Government.

Let us bear in mind the duty that many of us have sworn - I, too, as a legionary knight - before the red and golden flag.

* = The Jacobins were the most extreme anti-Bourbon faction during the French Revolution.
 
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I have read many commentators in West-European newspapers being surprised or disappointed that King Felipe played the card of the Government.

Of course the King did. He had no any other option. The King reigns, the Government rules. As in any constitutional monarchy. The commentators showed a surprising lack of understanding for the freedom a constitutional King has to speak out: namely none.

When Flanders wants to break away from Belgium, King Philippe will speak the words the Prime Minister has sanctioned. He has no other option. When Bavaria wants to leave the Bundesrepublik Deutschland, the Bundespräsident will speak the words the Chancellor has sanctioned. He has no other option. When rich and overwhelmingly "Remain" London wants to break away from the UK, the Queen will speak the words sanctioned by the Prime Minister. She has no other option.

Would King Felipe have exceeded the bandwith the Government allowed, he would risk a constitutional clash with the Government. And he has nothing to gain with that because trying to become in love with the Catalonian separatists is useless: they want a republic anyway, no matter what the King would have said and no matter which tone was used.

I wouldn't expect the King to say anything against the government line, personally, mainly for that reasons, I was surprised he said anything at all. He had to stick to the government line and that was always going to upset the Catalonia independence supporters.
 
(Another try after my previous one was not posted).

Indeed, tommy100. Nobody would expect the king to go against his own govenment but he had the option not to hold a speech (he wasn't forced to do so), or hold one in which he stronglh supported the government's position but also showed some regard for those holding a different opinion and at least critize the use of violence (on both sides if he didn't want to put the blame only on the police).

However, based on his verbal and non-verbal language it was clear that he fully supports the government's stance (the fire almost came out of his eyes; not just the words but also how he spoke them was very aggressive) and did not wish to unite but instead divide - as a way to defend the legal unity of Spain.
 
(Another try after my previous one was not posted).

Indeed, tommy100. Nobody would expect the king to go against his own govenment but he had the option not to hold a speech (he wasn't forced to do so), or hold one in which he stronglh supported the government's position but also showed some regard for those holding a different opinion and at least critize the use of violence (on both sides if he didn't want to put the blame only on the police).

However, based on his verbal and non-verbal language it was clear that he fully supports the government's stance (the fire almost came out of his eyes; not just the words but also how he spoke them was very aggressive) and did not wish to unite but instead divide - as a way to defend the legal unity of Spain.

Ever when the King is in Catalonia, be it Don Juan Carlos or Don Felipe, he is whistled, booed, yelled at, middle fingers are shown or even (for an example during the Copa del Rey) hundreds of naked asses are shown towards the royal loge. While Trump complains about kneeling during the Stars Spangled Banner, the King has to endure a deafening whistle-concert during the Marcía Real.

All this comes from a region which is not only the wealthiest of Spain but also has the biggest autonomy of all the Spains. From the cradle on the Catalonians are indoctrinated with an absurd hate towards Spain, the country which apparently "oppresses" them. In reality it is a hidden racism. The Catalonians see themselves as "Latin" and look down to the rest of Spain with dédain. The rest, that are the scions of the Moros (the Arabs), of the Gitanos (the Gypsies), the dumb countryside peasants of the Extremadura, etc. While they cultivate so-called "Catalan" things as playing bagpipes, dancing the sardana or building human towers, they look down to "backward Spain". That is the hidden poison in all this.

What the Catalans do not tell is that they owe the biggest debts of any Spanish region to the central Government. In no any Spanish region, since the Transition, the central Government has put so much resources in infrastructural works, in data communication, in reconstruction funds, culminating in the most succesful Olympics ever (Barcelona 1992), the start of an unbelievable renaissance. All this happened in the framework of the State of Spain, from a poor and underdeveloped region in 1975 to a region a par to other developed EU regions.

Still the storyline is the absurd hate against all and everything which is not Catalan and who is more symbolizing the so hated State as the King? Even the most honey-like tone would have been dismissed.

You thought the King could have said nothing. No. He could not. He is also the head of state for the people in Aragón, in Castilla, in Galicia, in Valencia, in Andalucía, in Asturias etc. People worrying about what is going on and wanting to hear El Rey about it.
 
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In my first try I included that not speaking up would have been a very bad move but it was a possibility. Nobody forced him to speak the words he spoke in the way he spoke them.

And the King could have done the right thing even if he would have known that his acknowledgement of the unjustified violence by the police or a call for reconciliation would have been in vain.

I must say that I hear a lot about Catalan hatred towards Spain but I see a lot of hatred from Spaniards to Catalans well. It is a pity that it has come this far (on both sides).
 
In my first try I included that not speaking up would have been a very bad move but it was a possibility. Nobody forced him to speak the words he spoke in the way he spoke them.

And the King could have done the right thing even if he would have known that his acknowledgement of the unjustified violence by the police or a call for reconciliation would have been in vain.

I must say that I hear a lot about Catalan hatred towards Spain but I see a lot of hatred from Spaniards to Catalans well. It is a pity that it has come this far (on both sides).

The King could never have said any word about the police before the Government said it. What the police did in Barcelona, was in order of the State. The same State of which Don Felipe de Borbón y Grecia is the King. Would he have excused for the way the police handled this, he would have laid the blame at the National Police and the Guardia Civil, pillars of the State and proud standard bearers of the monarchy. It was impossible for the King, he had to handle in the bandwith of the Constitution, exactly what he demands from the Catalonian politicians.
 
I don't think Felipe could have kept his silence. He's supposed to be the "guarantor" of Spanish unity. There were many comments online after the referendum asking where the king was and why would they keep a king if he just disappears at a time of crisis. He also swore to defend Spanish constitution, something his own father took great risk to usher in.

It's clear he's speaking to the rest of Spain and Catalans who opposed independence. People were confused after Sunday. Rajoy didn't speak. No officials spoke from Madrid's side whereas international press was running wild with photos of "police brutality". His speech was well received by his intended audiences, judging by comments online. His speech put the situation into context from Spain's perspective. Separatists wouldn't listen to him any way. They want a republic and have been whistling and disrespecting him for years.

I don't think he could condemn the police and Civil Guards before the government was able to confirm and acknowledge wrong-doings. BTW, the number of injuries has proven to be greatly exaggerated. Only 2 people were hospitalized. From I read,one was caused by anxiety attack and one had eye injury from rubber bullet. One woman who alleged that her fingers were broken by the police "one by one" retracted the story a day later after she got caught using that hand. She had an inflammation on her finger and that's why she had bandage.

I predicted long ago that if Catalonia independence comes about, all banks based in Catalonia would move out. It's materializing. Banks need to have access to European Central Bank (ECB) funding. Depositors also need to know their deposits are insured and they won't be devalued in a new currency. All these will be in doubt once Catalonia is out of the Euro zone.

Whether other companies will move depend on their market. For big companies that sell goods to the rest of Spain and EU market, independence will be a disaster. I'll bet a lot of them will move as well. Otherwise, they'll risk tariff and customer boycotts. The disregard separatists have with laws would also concern businesses. Businesses don't like uncertainty, especially when it comes to laws they have to operate under.
 
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Protesters in Barcelona demand "unity" over Catalonia crisis


 
The King could never have said any word about the police before the Government said it. What the police did in Barcelona, was in order of the State. The same State of which Don Felipe de Borbón y Grecia is the King. Would he have excused for the way the police handled this, he would have laid the blame at the National Police and the Guardia Civil, pillars of the State and proud standard bearers of the monarchy. It was impossible for the King, he had to handle in the bandwith of the Constitution, exactly what he demands from the Catalonian politicians.

That's why I suggested previously he condemned violence in general. Or at least call for peace or dialogue or something that could be constructed as a sign of good will for those with a different opinion and a real resolution to the problem as 'just obey me, I don't care what you think' and I will defend one position (which I understand) no matter what (this is where I disagree, at what point would he have seen the need to condemn something?) is typically not the best response.

I am sure the king is happy that his words were received well by a large part of the Spanish population but I am sorry to see that he further fueled the hatred on both sides as a king should do the opposite. Glad to see the white marches as that seems exactly what is needed at these trying times.
 
I'm glad that Felipe spoke out about the referendum - even though royalty and politics generally aren't supposed to mix, I do feel that his voice was needed in this sticky situation. I agree with Somebody that not speaking up about it would have reflected badly on him, so it's good that he did.

Not surprised that the delightful auntie Henar spoke about the referendum. :rolleyes:
 
Tonight on the Dutch weekly program Blauw Bloed (Blue Blood) the presenter asked the Spain-correspondent of the NOS (the Dutch equivalent of the BBC) why the King did not reach out and took the Government's side.

The correspondent was clear: from day one of his Reign, Don Felipe has shown a zest for an execution of his royal prerogatives exactly within the framework of the Constitution. And that Constitution is clear: the King has zero "own space". Everything he says is sanctioned by the Government. Nothing more than logic that he indeed expressed the view of the Government.

Besides this the correspondent pointed to the statistics. There are roughly two million die-hard separatists. There are 7,5 million Catalans. Some more than 5 million of them are eligible to vote. The King can and will not allow that 2 million rob 7,5 million Catalans from their Spanish nationality, their civil rights under the Constitution, their rights as a citizen of the European Union, let alone that the Constitution does not allow an unilateral seccession from the nation.
 
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Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy refuses to rule out suspending Catalonia's regional autonomy

After the demonstrations at the weekend, where many people asked for both parties to talk to each other, Rajoy has ruled out talks, mediation or new elections while evoking §155 (taking away the autonomous status) remains an option.
He won't talk before the referendum is off the table and Catalonia government says they feel obliged to it. We'll see what happens on Tuesday when Carles Puigdemont plans to address Catalan Parliament, either to declare independence or to give an update on the next steps.
 
The editorial of La Vanguardia (Catalonia's largest newspaper):

We play catalunya

One week after the events of October 1, the picture is of an unprecedented gravity. The name of Catalonia is written on the chalkboard of conflicts that draw the attention of the powers of this world. To be on that board is not necessarily positive, as some strategists of Catalan independence believe, in a highly irresponsible way. "The world looks at us!" They exclaim. And that? What do we get this time that the world looks at us? We are not organizing an Olympic Games. We are doing the opposite of what the 1992 Olympic Games meant for Catalonia and Spain: we are now exhibiting before the world our disagreements, our resounding minorities that are not just a majority, our miscalculations, our incompetence for dialogue, our potential conflict; perhaps our self-destructive capacity. We are watched by the powerful of the world - each one with its own interests and ambitions -, the financial analysts look at us, who are not guided by feelings and smiles, the speculators look at us and the birds of prey look at us. The name of Catalonia, and with it, Spain, has been written on the chalkboard of problems with high destabilizing potential and financial markets have not been slow in reactions.

Nos jugamos Catalunya

Another article that speaks from Barcelona's point of view:

And who defends Barcelona ?

On Tuesday afternoon, television stations retransmitted live image of the leaders of the process dancing circle to the sound of L' stake in the plaza de la Universitat, in protest against police repression of the 1 - o. by tying their hands, as well as representatives political as Oriol Junqueras or Santi Vila - and leaders of those organizations that both influence the Government and whom nobody has not voted in a few elections, was the Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau.

At the same time, in the city already detected symptoms that the political upheaval began to hurt, now Yes in the obvious way, the local economy. At a dinner between people from the world of culture, a European investor based in Barcelona took the floor: "I have little investment here because I always diversifico, but I began to sense that it was better to let go of them. so yesterday I asked a friend who runs a family very important office, what could I do to place them. And well, answered that it was too late, that ten days earlier as had been able to do it, but not anymore. Bad luck! "."

Signs multiplied. Everyone had spoken with someone or knew of someone that it brought a new worrying fact. The owner of a restaurant group warned that his bookings had declined drastically. A New York fashion agency canceled orders at a Barcelona signing for fear that it could not guarantee supplies (that had not been calculated by people who boasted months ago that Catalunya didn't need Spain because their markets were in the overseas; they did not contemplate that the Catalans could be considered unreliable exporters,

http://www.lavanguardia.com/opinion/20171008/431879364147/y-a-barcelona-quien-la-defiende.html
 
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The attitude of La Vanguardia is highly criticized, is an ambiguous newspaper, which has often been on the side of nationalism. They supported the Catalan government, until the speech of the King and the economic movement began to change everything.

Its owner is the Count of Godó, a noble of third generation, very good friend of Juan Carlos that granted to him also the Greatness of Spain. There is a movement in the Spanish nobility for King Felipe to remove the title of nobility for his betrayal of Spain.
 
The attitude of La Vanguardia is highly criticized, is an ambiguous newspaper, which has often been on the side of nationalism. They supported the Catalan government, until the speech of the King and the economic movement began to change everything.

Its owner is the Count of Godó, a noble of third generation, very good friend of Juan Carlos that granted to him also the Greatness of Spain. There is a movement in the Spanish nobility for King Felipe to remove the title of nobility for his betrayal of Spain.

Thanks for the info. I'm just glad someone FINALLY noticed the economic impact. It's way under-discussed IMO. As any divorce attorney can tell them: A hostile divorce would not be cheap. ;)
 
Thank you lula, the 'silent majority' speaks at last !
 
A week on and thank God we now see mass protest against Catalonia independence in Barcelona.

 
I feel the secessionists have lost the momentum now. The Catalans were in a frenzy but now things are threaten to become a reality, people re-discover common sense.
 
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I see only losers, Catalonia will not become independet, that's a joke anyway. Both Spain and EU will never allow it. Using the threat of a referendum as leverage is ok but not pulling it off, illegally.
If Catalonia suffers economically, Spain will suffer, too. Lots of burnt bridges once more.
The rift in society will remain for many years.
I wonder what comes after Rajoy, better or even worse for the country.
 
An economic forum that makes up the executives of top businesses based in Catalonia met with Puidgemont yesterday in Girona and told him not to unilaterally declare independence. Otherwise, it would cause irreparable harm to Catalonia's economy. The group includes the chairman of Caixa Bank.

One of the biggest publishing company in the world, Planeta Group, has announced that it would relocate to Madrid if an independence is declared. It's based in Barcelona.

The former president of Catalonia told Financial Times that Catalonia was not ready for "real independence". He's the guy who pushed for independence for years. :bang:
 
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