To Hugo Chavez.
Posted on 06/02/2014 4:10:42 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
MADRID — King Juan Carlos of Spain is abdicating in favor of Crown Prince Felipe, his 46-year-old son, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced on Monday.
The king’s abdication, after almost four decades on the throne, follows health problems but also comes amid a decline in his popularity, particularly as a result of a corruption scandal centering on his son-in-law that has also put the spotlight on the royal family’s lifestyle and finances at a time of economic crisis and record joblessness.
The king, 76, announced his abdication in a letter to Mr. Rajoy, who then made the decision public in a short televised address, during which he called King Juan Carlos “a tireless defender of our interests.” Mr. Rajoy added that the abdication process would take place “in a context of institutional stability and as proof of the maturity of our democracy.”
King Juan Carlos was expected to make a separate address later Monday to detail the reasons for his abdication.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Amen. Franco, like Pinochet, saved his country. And like Pinochet, he stepped aside when his country was ready to return to democracy.
Gen. Agosto Pinochet, another unsung hero of anticommunism.
The commie he overthrew, the sainted Salvador Allende, committed suicide with the AK-47 that Fidel Castro had given him as a gift. Appropriate.
To Hugo Chavez.
That’s something our next Congress should do.
I will always admire the King for telling that communist blowhard Hugo Chavez to shut up.
Charles' old lady already told him he's not going to be King as long as she's alive. The only way she'll step down is if he agrees to hand the crown to Prince William. That's where things now stand. The old gal doesn't have much time left so we'll see what happens soon enough.
King Juan Carlos is a patriot. He has made great contributions to Spain. This latest action is simply another contribution to his country.
That’s funny.
They have to find some face saving way for Charles to get bypassed.. to let William succeed the Queen. Maybe some medical quirk..something not that bad..but might be a problem if he were king..like “foot in mouth” disease..
Not so sure about the “time left” bit.
If she lives as long as her mother she has 13 years to go..:^)
“...And so are all the commies and anarchist he put into the ground...”
Never a bad thing.
The Communists and Socialists backed the King after he put down a coup in 1981. Spain’s Left was traditionally republican but Juan Carlos defense of democracy reconciled them to the monarchy.
The King in standing above day to day politics, has embodied the unity of Spain’s nationhood. Its the second oldest royal family in the world, tracing its roots back to the earliest Christian kings of Spain.
Phillip VI will be a worthy successor as King to his father.
“The Spanish flag’s coat of arms displays the origins of the American dollar sign. Look closely.”
I’m familiar with that; the pillars are supposed to represent the Spanish holdings on both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar.
“Anyway, King Juan Carlos is doing the right thing. Maybe he sees his son as a more reliable successor than Queen Elizabeth does hers. She’s determined to outlive her wacky twit-of-the-year son, IMO.”
Yes, that is an odd situation; the way Elizabeth II is going William won’t even see the throne (her mother died a few years back at 101 years old).
“The King in standing above day to day politics, has embodied the unity of Spain’s nationhood. Its the second oldest royal family in the world, tracing its roots back to the earliest Christian kings of Spain.”
I believe they are from the Bourbon family, more associated with France than Spain. During the civil war, the Catholic militias in the north (Carlists) were hoping to see their candidate for the throne restored. There was a rift caused by some disagreement in the latter half of the 19th century over whether or not a female could inherit the throne.
IMO, Prince William should be leaving them all over the Buckingham Palace and wherever his dad and Cam reside. Prince Charles is too loony to lead.
Speaking of Spain.
First the Queen of the Netherlands quits, now this guy.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles continues to wait!!!! Mummy, I want to be King before I’m more wrinkle than man!!!
Ahh, yes. Pinochet. Another hero vilified by the left. I wish more people saw the world through our eyes. It really is sad. We just went back to my kid’s old school to wish his 2nd grade teacher good luck in her retirement. Wonderfully kind older lady. She told my wife she is starting to pay attention for the first time because she does not think this is the same country anymore. Too few, too late
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