DukeJonathan81
Gentry
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- May 19, 2013
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Err... didn't you just tell us several minutes ago that support on the Spanish Monarchy was over 60%?
Then I will take your word for it
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
Let's hope the riots will be less present that day.
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 agree, demonstrations are a sign of a healthy democracy.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.
Yes, but what if the majority doesn´t want it?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.
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?
There was a comment on the BBC this morning that whilkst there have been protests, they are far less than expected.
I don't really know that much about the Spanish royalty. What exactly is there about Letizia that the Spanish don't like??
There was a comment on the BBC this morning that whilkst there have been protests, they are far less than expected.
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.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.
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.Regardless what people may think about the Princess, the protest are against the monarchy as institution, not against her.