Anti-monarchy protests in Spain.
Podemos and Izquierda Unida lead calls for an end to the monarchy, following the abdication of King Juan Carlos.
Spanish Republicans and the country’s left-wing political parties — emboldened by their recent victories in the European Parliament elections — called on their fellow citizens to push for an end to the monarchy yesterday, as they sought to take advantage of King Juan Carlos’ decision to announce his abdication from the throne.
Izquierda Unida (“United Left”) and Podemos (“We can”), who came to the fore by taking 18 percent in the EU vote, led the charge, with party representatives flooding the media in an effort to capitalise on the mass demonstrations in more than 60 other towns and cities on Monday night. Both parties seek a referendum on the monarchy and to create a third Spanish Republic.
Following Juan Carlos’ historic announcement, tens of thousands of people rushed to the nation’s plazas and squares on Monday night, with the biggest rally in Madrid, where anti-monarchist activists united to call for the dissolution of the crown. Riot police were sent to marshall the demonstrators and ensure no violence occurred.
The protest, which was not authorised by the state, was organised by leftist parties and associations, El País reported yesterday.
“In a democracy, the people decide,” Pablo Iglesias, the 35-year-old professor who leads Podemos, posted on Twitter after the king’s abdication was announced. “We are not subjects, we are citizens.”
Podemos later released a statement to its supporters repeating Iglesias’ words, adding that “there are no excuses for citizens not to be able to decide the form of state in which they want to live.”
Izquierda Unida leader Cayo Lara echoed her rival parties’ declarations. “It’s inconceivable in the 21st century that we’re still talking about blood rights,” she said.
Surge in support
The surprise surge in support for the Izquierda Unida and Podemos in the EU elections has raised the possibility that the two-party domination of Spanish politics by the ruling People’s Party (PP) and the opposition Socialists (PSOE) may be challenged in next year’s general election.
Iglesias was in Brussels on Monday, meeting with other lawmakers and collecting his credentials for the European Parliament. Among his appointments was a meeting with Alexis Tsipras, the leader of Greece’s left-wing anti-austerity party Syriza — Iglesias later posted a photograph of the two leaders shaking hands on Twitter. Tsipras is one a series of eurospectic leaders who performed well in the EU elections.
Despite his busy schedule, Iglesias still found time to talk to the Spanish media yesterday, repeating his calls for a referendum as he sought to apply further pressure: “If the government believes that Felipe has the confidence of the people, it should be put to the test at the polls.”
Spain’s top judge in the Supreme Court, Carlos Lesmes, yesterday however ruled out any chance of a referendum. And with the PP’s majority in the Spanish Parliament, it seems likely that Felipe with ascend to the throne without a hitch.
The abdication and the EU elections have undoubtedly brought new political figures to the fore in Spain. With five MEPs, Iglesias and Podemos — which has seen its support rise among the nation’s young people thanks to its intelligent use of social media — are sure to stay in the spotlight for now. Especially while the monarchy remains in the news.
Combined with the United Left and the separatist parties in Catalonia seeking independence, there’s a new set of headaches for the Spanish government — and the king.
Originally published in the Buenos Aires Herald, on Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Link: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/161173/leftists-seize-opporunity-for-royal-debate.
© J. GRAINGER, 2014