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pinto

(106,886 posts) Mon Jun 2, 2014, 09:57 PM Jun 2014

King's abdication announcement sparks monarchy debate in Spain

Source: LA Times

By Lauren Frayer
June 2, 2014, 6:22 PM | Reporting from Madrid

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.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-spain-king-20140603-story.html

11 replies

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King's abdication announcement sparks monarchy debate in Spain (Original Post) pinto Jun 2014 OP

I totally agree with Cayo Lara rickyhall Jun 2014 #1

As someone who lives in a constitutional monarchy, Art_from_Ark Jun 2014 #5

Bullshit! Expensive Monarchies aren't required for goodwill ambassadorship! AllTooEasy Jun 2014 #8

Look, in Japan there are few people who complain about the monarchy Art_from_Ark Jun 2014 #9

Actually, the majority of Japanese citizens that I met AllTooEasy Jun 2014 #11

we don't need no stinking monarchs! joe_stampingbull Jun 2014 #2

This message was self-deleted by its author alp227 Jun 2014 #7

But what if Francisco Franco stops being dead? jberryhill Jun 2014 #3

Rimshot. zonkers Jun 2014 #4

We Stand Him Up Against a Wall Wolf Frankula Jun 2014 #6

Ha Ha itcfish Jun 2014 #10

rickyhall

(4,889 posts)

1. I totally agree with Cayo Lara

Reply to pinto (Original post)

Mon Jun 2, 2014, 10:13 PM

Jun 2014

Monarchy should be a thing of the past along with feudalism.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)

5. As someone who lives in a constitutional monarchy,

Reply to rickyhall (Reply #1)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 12:28 AM

Jun 2014

I'm not so sure I agree with that sentiment. Sure, in the United States it's probably a good thing that we abolished the monarchy, but other cultures have their reasons for maintaining one. Here in Japan, the Emperor has no power, but he and (especially) his wife do make excellent goodwill ambassadors. For example, in the aftermath of the 3.11.11 disasters, they were a reassuring presence when they visited stricken areas, and since then they have always attended the annual memorial services for disaster victims. They are a traditional part of Japanese culture, and I respect that.

AllTooEasy

(1,260 posts)

8. Bullshit! Expensive Monarchies aren't required for goodwill ambassadorship!

Reply to Art_from_Ark (Reply #5)

Tue Jun 3, 2014, 04:10 PM

Jun 2014

You spend 10's of millions/year in taxpayer capital to fund photo-ops by a powerless couple?! The "Reassuring Presence" they provided is the primary problem with this ongoing disaster. Folks, Japanese folks especially, should ABSOLUTELY NOT be reassured! It's a worsening, global catastrophe! But hey, the emperor said "Nothing to see here. Everything will be all right." The subjects can now go peacefully back to the stressful, Japanese rat-race and the royals can go back to their lavish existence, while the ocean is continuously poisoned with radiation. Great! Those "warm and fuzzies" are sure worth it!

Instead of supporting their enviable lifestyles to honor the victims on behalf the good/real people of Japan, how about honoring the victims directly with your own physical presence at these memorials and disaster sites? How about donations from your person account to the survivors? Goodwill should not be vicariously expressed by a remote, untouchable, wealthy few. It should come from each individual citizen.

Don't get me wrong. I lived in Japan and LOVED it. I would leave the US and move back there in a heartbeat, if I could find employment. With the exception of the monarchy, and the comic books(another subject for another day), I thought the place with nearly perfect.

Art_from_Ark

(27,247 posts)

9. Look, in Japan there are few people who complain about the monarchy

Reply to AllTooEasy (Reply #8)

Thu Jun 5, 2014, 05:31 AM

Jun 2014

Obviously you did not spend enough time in Japan to realize that. Certainly you didn't watch the news shows of the Emperor and his wife drawing crowds when they visited disaster areas. And for more than 2 years after the disasters, they had a full itinerary of visits. They did what was expected of them, and they did it well.

http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/activity/daishinsai2011/gohomon/gohomon-1-2011-01.html#h2410

http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/activity/gonittei/01/photo1/photo-20121013-2779.html

AllTooEasy

(1,260 posts)

11. Actually, the majority of Japanese citizens that I met

Reply to Art_from_Ark (Reply #9)

Fri Jun 6, 2014, 06:14 AM

Jun 2014

...during my year in Matsumoto and Tokyo were apathetic, at best, to the monarchy. My Japanese girlfriend and her brother openly mocked them. I found that the youngest generations were more apathetic than the older ones, especially in my girlfriend's family.

As for the crowds, George W. Bush still draws crowds. The press follows them everywhere, which draws more attention seekers. I also admit that they still had some die-hards.