Spain's King Juan Carlos Fights New Pressures to Abdicate

Started by cinrit, February 16, 2013, 12:58:39 PM

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cinrit

February 16, 2013, 12:58:39 PM
QuoteSpain's aging King Juan Carlos is intent on extending his reign and reaffirming his legacy of resurrecting the monarchy, but calls for his abdication are growing amid a simmering scandal over embezzlement of public funds incriminating his son-in-law, a duke. The scandal and climate here are proving a serious threat to the crown.

The special high court-led investigation is ongoing and the monarchy has tried to distance itself from Duke Iñaki Urdangarín, who is married to the king's youngest daughter Princess Cristina.

The court said in January it found "more than enough" incriminating evidence of "criminal activity" to continue investigating Urdangarín for embezzling more than $8 million in public funds.

Spain's King Juan Carlos fights new pressures to abdicate | MinnPost 

Cindy
Always be yourself.  Unless you can be a unicorn.  Then always be a unicorn.

Jenee

#1
February 16, 2013, 02:48:42 PM
Felipe and Letizia are quite popular - if the Spanish crown is really "threatened" (likely just journalistic drama) then it would make sense to make way for the more popular couple to take a more prominent role.
"It does not do to dwell on dreams, and forget to live" -Dumbledore

chavita

#5
February 26, 2013, 02:14:32 PM
QuoteSpanish king's abdication: The next surprise after pope resigns?

Spain's monarchy is sailing through stormy seas these days, facing hardships and sorrows Spanish King Don Juan Carlos never imagined would assail the Royal House.

Don Juan Carlos' health, at 75, is not in the best of shapes. Little is known about his ailments, except when he has to undergo an operation and must be admitted to a hospital. He has had two hip replacements, prosthesis implanted and he has been unable to walk steadily since then, using crutches. Another operation has been scheduled for a slipped disk in his back. The operation will take place early in March, 2013.

In a recent and well-staged television interview — the first since he became the Spanish king — he stated that he was in excellent health and would continue in the throne, while at the same time promoting the image of his son and heir, don Felipe de Borbón. Don Juan Carlos said with affection he was very proud of his son, 45, who, he believes, is very well prepared to succeed him. But the monarch looked bloated and slow. Cortisone?
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cinrit

#6
March 13, 2013, 12:36:02 PM
QuoteIs It Time for Spain to Dissolve the Monarchy?

It isn't clear whether the deal is still on, after all the scandals. But more than 30 years ago, there was a tacit agreement between the Spaniards and their king: On the one hand, Juan Carlos was to embody the unity of a nation that struggles with unity; on the other hand, he was to ensure that Spaniards would not have to feel ashamed for their royal family.

Juan Carlos, at least on the face of it, was supposed to have an exemplary and preferably uneventful marriage with Sofia as well as to ensure that his son, Crown Prince Felipe, stayed out of trouble. In return, every Spaniard stood behind the king and staunchly defended him against all criticism.

A Weakening Bond Between King Juan Carlos and Spain - SPIEGEL ONLINE 

Cindy
Always be yourself.  Unless you can be a unicorn.  Then always be a unicorn.

cinrit

#7
March 16, 2013, 01:55:03 PM
QuoteSpanish King Loses Lustre But Not About to Abdicate

Spain's King Juan Carlos has been plagued by health problems and unprecedented family scandals that have undercut public confidence in the monarchy during a bruising recession, but analysts say he is unlikely to abdicate anytime soon.

The 75-year-old monarch is credited with steering Spain to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975 but his standing has suffered due to an elephant-hunting trip he took in Africa last year at a time of record unemployment in Spain and a corruption probe implicating his son-in-law.

Support for having a monarchy in Spain has fallen to a historic low of 54 percent, according to a poll published in daily newspaper El Mundo in January, with backing for the throne weakest among younger people.

Spanish king loses lustre but not about to abdicate < Spanish news | Expatica Spain

Cindy
Always be yourself.  Unless you can be a unicorn.  Then always be a unicorn.

Blue Clover

#8
March 20, 2013, 05:13:25 AM
There are so many scandals and healthy issues, perhaps why public pressure is growing.
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