Monarch
says he is proud of country's transition to democracy but son Felipe has the
maturity to 'open a new era of hope'
theguardian.com,
Ashifa Kassam in Madrid, Monday 2 June 2014
After 39
years on the throne, King Juan Carlos of Spain will abdicate in favour of his
son Crown Prince Felipe, the king said in a televised address on Monday.
Hours after
the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, broke the news, the king explained his
decision on Spanish television and radio. He highlighted his pride in the
"transformation of Spain" and the "tremendous amount achieved by
all" since the country's transition into democracy.
"Today,
when I look back, I cannot help but feel pride and gratitude towards all of
you," he said.
Felipe and his wife, Letizia. Photograph: Ignacio Lopez/EPA |
Once one of
the world's most popular monarchs, more recently Juan Carlos has been plagued
by a series of scandals that have sent his popularity plummeting. A poll by El
Mundo last year found that nearly two-thirds of Spaniards thought the king
should abdicate.
In
contrast, Prince Felipe, a former Olympic yachtsman, has come out relatively
unscathed. Frequently photographed while taking their two daughters to school
or at shopping malls, Felipe and his wife Letizia Ortiz - a former television
news anchor - have cultivated an image of leading a relatively modes tlifestyle.
Fluent in
English, French and Catalan along with Spanish, Felipe studied for a year in
Canada before undertaking three years of military training in Spain's army,
navy and air force academy. A law degree in Madrid soon followed, as well as a
Masters in international relations at Georgetown University in Washington, DC
"His
goal, his only goal, is to serve Spain. It has been deeply ingrained in him
that he must be the country's main servant," his mother Queen Sofia once
said.
The poll showing rising public support for Juan Carlos to abdicate was a stunning reversal for a leader who in 2012, had earned the approval of almost 80% of Spaniards. Taking the throne just two days after the death of Franco in 1975, Juan Carlos won the respect of Spaniards by steering the country from dictatorship to democracy, including foiling a coup attempt in 1981.
Carlos and his wife Princess Sophia of Greece in Athens during their wedding. Photograph: Ho/AFP/Getty Images |
The poll showing rising public support for Juan Carlos to abdicate was a stunning reversal for a leader who in 2012, had earned the approval of almost 80% of Spaniards. Taking the throne just two days after the death of Franco in 1975, Juan Carlos won the respect of Spaniards by steering the country from dictatorship to democracy, including foiling a coup attempt in 1981.
But as
Spain fell into financial crisis, the king's standing sank. A particularly low
point came when it was revealed that he had taken a luxurious trip to Botswana
to hunt elephants, just weeks after telling a reporter that he was so
distraught about the growing ranks of the unemployed that he was having trouble
sleeping.
The royal family's image was further tarnished by a long-running corruption investigation into the king's daughter, Princess Cristina, and her husband Iñaki Urdangarin.
King Juan Carlos on his €10,000-a-day hunting safari in Botswana, which had been hushed up before he fell and broke his hip. Photograph: Target Press/ Barcroft Media |
The royal family's image was further tarnished by a long-running corruption investigation into the king's daughter, Princess Cristina, and her husband Iñaki Urdangarin.
Many,
particularly young Spaniards, began to see the king as part of Spain's
problems, drawing parallels between him and the economic and political powers
that had driven the country into the economic crisis. While the king's approval
rating dropped steadily, that of his son Felipe remained stable at around 66%,
leading many to suggest that the monarchy would be better off if the king
abdicated.
In Monday's
announcement, Rajoy praised Juan Carlos, calling him a "tireless defender
of our interests". He added: "I'm convinced this is the best moment
for change."
Spain is
now expected to change its constitution to make sure Felipe's first-born
daughter Leonor can succeed him.
The royal
family has said its wants the change to ensure she is next in line to the
throne in the event that Felipe's wife gets pregnant again and gives birth to a
boy, who would become monarch under the current constitution.
Analysts
say that could open the door to political negotiations for additional proposed
constitutional changes, including demands by the leading opposition Socialist
Party to grant Catalonia more autonomy or special financial benefits to ease
separatist feelings.
Artur Mas,
the president of Catalonia, declared that the king's abdication would not
derail his plans to hold the vote asking Catalans whether they want to secede
from Spain. "We have a date with our future on 9 November," Mas told
reporters after the king gave his speech.
Rajoy's
government must now pass a law creating a legal mechanism for Felipe's
assumption of power, which will then allow Juan Carlos to set a date for his
formal abdication.
Prince Charles 'should abdicate' after comparing Putin to Hitler, says MP
Belgium's King Albert II abdicates in favour of his son
King Juan
Carlos presents his declaration of abdication
to Spain's prime minister,
Mariano Rajoy. Photograph: PPE/
SIPA/REX
|
Related Articles:
Childhood changes for Spain's eight-year-old queen-to-be
Juan Carlos abdication prompts calls for referendum on Spain's monarchy
Childhood changes for Spain's eight-year-old queen-to-be
Juan Carlos abdication prompts calls for referendum on Spain's monarchy
Prince Charles 'should abdicate' after comparing Putin to Hitler, says MP
Belgium's King Albert II abdicates in favour of his son
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to abdicate for son
European royalty's next generation
European royalty's next generation
European royalty from Luxembourg, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.