Saturday 21 June 2014

Felipe VI

Jun 19, 2014 Can Spain's Felipe VI Restore Monarchy's Image? (Image source: CBS) BY ERIK SHUTE ​Even amid a shocking World Cup elimination, the streets of Madrid had something to cheer about Thursday as Spain crowned a new king. "There are ceremonies to mark a new king of Spain. King Felipe VI was formally sworn in. The ceremony was low-key. His father, Juan Carlos, abdicated the throne at age 76." (Via WABC) The 46-year-old king takes the throne at a time when the Spanish monarchy's ratings are at their lowest point. The country faces a double-dip recession and unemployment rates reaching 26 percent. (Via Flickr / Richter Frank-Jurgen) The king's father, former King Juan Carlos I, ruled for more than 40 years but announced his abdication three weeks ago. He's credited with bringing democracy to Spain but also sinking the monarchy's reputation with a luxury lifestyle and no transparency. (Via Euronews, Flickr / Pedro de Matos) While speaking to the Spanish Parliament, Felipe VI urged for a united nation. The Washington Post quotes him speaking to lawmakers: "Today, more than ever, the people rightly demand our public lives be guided by ... moral and ethical principles." In response to the speech, BBC News added: "But this cannot be business as usual for the Spanish monarchy, and the new king seems to accept that. Now, he has to deliver on his promise." Many in the media pointed out the normally extravagant ceremonies now depicted a humble beginning Thursday. CBS noted they seemed deliberately simple to downplay the monarchy's grandiose image. Standing at Felipe's side through each reception was his wife, Queen Letizia Ortiz. "Good Morning America" explains her marriage is a true Cinderella story and similar to another famous royal couple. "She's a blue-collar beauty and he a blue-blood prince educated at Georgetown. … Her middle-class background has many comparing her to another famous royal, and like Kate, she's quickly becoming a fashion icon." (Via ABC) Headlines have dubbed her the "middle-class Queen," and others drew comparisons to Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton. (Via CTV, The Globe and Mail) As the ceremonies finish, the royal family will write their own history with some uncertainty. In a recent poll by Spanish newspaper El Pais, crowning Felipe boosted the popularity of the royals. However, nearly two-thirds of Spanish citizens also support the idea of a referendum on whether Spain should continue to be a constitutional monarchy.

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Tuesday 17 June 2014

Spanish King's abdication

Jun 2, 2014 Spain's King Juan Carlos To Abdicate The Throne (Image source: Wikimedia Commons / Aleph) BY ELIZABETH HAGEDORN ​​He was once considered one of the world’s most popular monarchs. Now, Spain’s King Carlos will abdicate after almost 40 years on the throne. (VIa ​​Flickr / UNWTO OMT) ​In 1975, he became Spain’s first crowned head of state when Spain’s military dictator Francisco Franco died after decades in power. (Via Wikimedia Commons / Jack E. Kightlinger, Wikimedia Commons / Revista Argentina) Seventy-six-year-old Juan Carlos is credited with overseeing Spain’s smooth transition from fascism to democracy. (Via ITN) His son, 46-year-old Crown Prince Felipe, will now succeed him. (Via Flickr / Richter Frank-Jurgen) Spain’s Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, made the announcement Monday, explaining the king was stepping down for personal reasons. But analysts took that to mean Juan Carlos was leaving the throne because he’d lost public support. “This announcement perhaps is a chance for Prince Felipe — Crown Prince Felipe — to take over a fresh start, to rekindle the popularity.” (Via Sky News) Until fairly recently, the king's popularity was high. But a series of missteps coupled with a poor economy had many calling for him to step aside. (Via Flickr / Pedro de Matos) His reputation took a hit in 2012 when it was revealed he went on an expensive elephant hunting trip at a time when Spain was in the middle of a recession and millions were unemployed. (Via The Guardian) Making things worse, his daughter Princess Cristina and her husband are currently caught up in a long-running investigation into their spending habits. (Via PressTV) Critics also questioned whether the 76-year-old king was still fit for the throne. He’s suffered from poor health in recent years, including a broken hip in 2012 and several surgeries. (Via The Wall Street Journal) A poll released in January found 62 percent of Spaniards wanted Juan Carlos to step down. Contast that with public opinion in 2012 — when 80 percent of the country said they supported him. (Via The Telegraph) The Guardian offers some insight on the stunning reversal. “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.” Monday’s surprise announcement makes Juan Carlos the first Spanish king to pass the throne to one of his children since 1885. (Via Euronews) Interestingly, the news follows a similar rare move from Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. A year ago, she announced she would abdicate in favor of her son. (Via BBC) In a news conference Monday, Prime Minister Rajoy said the constitution would be amended to allow Juan Carlos to abdicate. Unlike his father, Felipe's reputation has remained relatively untarnished, with his approval rating actually going up in recent years.

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