Leftists Push to Abolish Monarchy in Spain

I don't follow Spanish politics, but I know the British monarchy is the key to that country's historical continuity. Britain's also the birthplace of parliamentary democracy.

Not sure about Spain. But still, it's a bloodthirsty anti-monarchy push for the left.

At LAT, "King's abdication announcement sparks monarchy debate in Spain":

King Juan Carlos of Spain announced Monday that he would abdicate in favor of his son, sparking fierce public debate over whether the country should allow the crown's passing to another generation or abolish the monarchy.

Tens of thousands of Spaniards streamed into town squares in more than 60 cities across the country, just hours after the king's surprise announcement on national television. Demonstrators chanted, "No to monarchy! Yes to democracy!" and demanded an immediate referendum on whether Spain should remain a constitutional monarchy or become a republic after Juan Carlos, who has been king for 39 years, steps down.

"It is unthinkable that in the 21st century we are still talking about blood rights," said Cayo Lara, the leader of Spain's United Left coalition. "We are not subjects, we are citizens."

Though the king's role is largely ceremonial, many Spaniards credit Juan Carlos with shepherding the country from the military dictatorship of Francisco Franco to democracy in the 1970s.

But the 76-year-old monarch has been ailing in health as well as popularity. Juan Carlos drew public outrage two years ago when he went elephant hunting in Africa while his country was mired in recession. His daughter Infanta Cristina is being investigated on suspicion of tax fraud and corruption. The royal lifestyle has not sat well, especially with Spanish unemployment at 25%.

"The long, deep economic recession we are enduring has left serious scars in the social fabric," Juan Carlos acknowledged in a recorded five-minute video address Monday. "A younger generation with new energy has the determination to transform the country.... My son, Felipe, inheritor of the crown, is the embodiment of stability."

"I want the best for Spain, to which I have dedicated my whole life," the king said.

No Spanish monarch has handed power to his or her offspring since the 19th century. Courts would need to approve Crown Prince Felipe, 46, as his father's successor. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, a pro-monarchy conservative, said he planned to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting Tuesday to begin enacting legal and constitutional mechanisms to allow for the change.

Juan Carlos, who was born in Italy in 1938 and raised in Portugal, was plucked from exile and personally groomed by Franco to be his fascist successor. But when Franco died in 1975, Juan Carlos ushered in democracy instead. Then, in 1981, he endeared himself to Spaniards by putting down an attempted coup by paramilitary police who opened fire inside parliament. He is credited with keeping the nation's then-fledgling democracy alive.

"Franco gave the king extraordinary powers, before there was even a constitution, but Juan Carlos used that power to create a democracy instead," said Bieito Rubido, editor of Spain's monarchist ABC newspaper. "And then he intervened to stop that coup, insisting again on democracy. So Spaniards credit him with the peace and progress we've seen since then."

More.

PREVIOUSLY: "King Juan Carlos to Abdicate Spanish Throne."