Posted on 06/17/2014 5:41:37 PM PDT by annalex
By Andrés Cala, Correspondent JUNE 17, 2014
The Spanish Senate approved legislation today that enables Prince Felipe's ascension to the throne. But many in Spain hold mixed feelings about the monarchy and its future.
MADRID — The coronation of Spain's soon-to-be King Felipe VI is now all but assured, after the Spanish Senate today approved legislation to enable his father's abdication.
But despite the surety of his future crowning, Prince Felipe is getting a lukewarm welcome from many Spaniards – even some who support him and his father, the abdicating King Juan Carlos – who hold mixed feelings about the monarchy and its future in Spanish society.
Politically, the prince's coronation is certain. Since Juan Carlos announced his surprise abdication on June 2, Spain's mainstream parties have solidly backed the ongoing political and institutional preparations for Felipe's direct succession.
[...]
The monarchy was abolished in 1931 after republican parties swept to power. But the new republic was short-lived, ending in 1939 after the government was defeated by Gen. Francisco Franco’s fascist forces in the Spanish Civil War. Before his death in 1975, General Franco reinstated the monarchy to succeed him, with Juan Carlos wearing the crown.
[...]
More at source.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
I can also recommend this longish article: Dios, Patria, Fueros, y Rey: The Story Of The Spanish Carlistas.
I think, the thought has to be entertained, if not adopted unreservedly, that the choice of Juan Carlos was one severe political mistake of Generalissimo Franco. Let us hope that the new monarch will chart a more conservative course than his father.
If you want to be on this right wing, monarchy, paleolibertarianism and nationalism ping list, but are not, please let me know. If you are on it and want to be off, also let me know. This ping list is not used for Catholic-Protestant debates; all confessions are welcome.
Maybe this guy could stage a comeback -- if he's feeling up to it.
The king had no choice but to transition the country to a constitutional monarchy.
It was apparent Franco’s dictatorship and his legacy would not survive his demise.
Absolute monarchies are rare in the modern world.
I think, it is possible that Europe will see the military forming governments of national salvation within the present generation in some countries.
I think General Franco still dead LOL!
Carlism is opposed to absolute monarchy as well. Generally, the idea of a monarch as some kind of do-as-I-please semi-deity is an empty caricature. Whether there is a written constitution or not, a monarch has a strong obligation to his nation that he is supposed to uphold.
It's good to be the King!
I would like to be on your ping lists please
If you haven’t already, check out “The Last Crusade”; it isn’t a long read, and it details the war very well.
Because Franco was reliant on Carlist militias to hold parts of the north of Spain (he was driving up from the south), he held out hope to them that their candidate for the throne might be considered after the war. He was the last of four generals to join the revolt, and ended up as leader by default.
I don’t believe anyone can read this book without gaining a new insight into our political situation today.
N
“Carlism is opposed to absolute monarchy as well. Generally, the idea of a monarch as some kind of do-as-I-please semi-deity is an empty caricature. Whether there is a written constitution or not, a monarch has a strong obligation to his nation that he is supposed to uphold.”
By the time the king abdicated in 1931, there was no more absolute monarchy. In fact, the king had been ruling from behind a military government (as Italy’s king did until the end of WWII - while Mussolini was in power Italy still had a king on the throne with his face on the money).
The historical record, the intent if you will, of the 20th century was to rid Europe and the world of ruling monarchs. The age of kings was over.
Here then comes Spain for reasons not well stated, attempting to reverse the trend, the tide
Futility
Sure, thanks.
Why be satisfied with leftist propaganda on the Spanish Civil War? Carroll's treatment of the events of 1936 is singular in Anglo-American scholarship for seeing the conflict for what is truly was: a death struggle against the Christian faith and a war against Christian civilization in Europe. This outstanding work of scholarship illustrates the phenomenon of the traditionalist as revisionist: the distortions of decades of Marxist historiography are overturned in Carroll's narration of the bloody struggle to preserve Western civilization in the heart of 20th century Europe.
Thank you; I will.
the king had been ruling from behind a military government
But that is the classic model, is it not? The monarch is never absolute and relies on the cooperation of either clergy or military or both,-- the class of idealistic and unpropertied people in each case, -- to advocate for the national ideas. The class of people the king would typically oppose are the moneybags and the politicians.
Right. Hence by the 21 century we have two devastating wars, the half-century loss of normal human development in East-Central Europe, a rule by unelected bureaucrats everywhere, a massive loss of Christian faith, a creeping Muslim invasion and the economies teetering on the verge of collapse. Nice work.
“But that is the classic model, is it not?”
Not really; usually a king would rule with the support of the army, but in the cases of Italy (with Mussolini) and Spain (with Primavera), the army ruled with the support of the kings (in both cases, to prevent communist takeovers).
Well, yes, in war time and during its aftermath, naturally, the military step up more. But also, I think, they got a wrong king: weak of character, born to seek consensus when firmness was the best strategy.
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