In the midst of Spain’s fragmented political landscape, King Felipe VI finds himself facing a crucial decision on the next prime minister. With none of the party leaders securing the majority votes needed to form a government after last month’s inconclusive election, the king must choose between the two leading candidates, conservative leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Feijóo argues that his party should receive the king’s approval based on winning the most votes, but Sánchez appears to be in a better position to remain in office. As the king navigates this delicate situation, he risks facing criticism from both sides, illustrating the challenges of his role in a fragile parliamentary monarchy.
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Spain’s King Faces Decision on Next Prime Minister
Spain’s King Felipe VI is tasked with the decision of selecting the next prime minister following the inconclusive national election held last month. With none of the party leaders able to secure the majority of votes necessary to form a government, the king finds himself in a difficult position. Conservative leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo argues that since his Popular Party won the most votes, he should be given the opportunity to form a government. However, the PP does not have enough seats in parliament to govern, making Feijóo’s bid unlikely to succeed. On the other hand, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appears to be in a better position to remain in office, but he still needs to secure the required support from MPs, including those belonging to the Catalan separatist Junts party. This puts King Felipe VI in a challenging situation as he must identify the candidate most likely to succeed in forming a government.
Conservative leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s Argument
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the conservative Popular Party, argues that since his party won the most votes in the recent election, he should be given the opportunity to form a government. However, despite the backing of the far-right Vox party, Feijóo does not have enough seats in parliament to overcome the opposition of a majority of Spain’s MPs. While Feijóo’s bid to form a government may seem logical based on the number of votes his party received, it is unlikely to succeed without the necessary support in parliament.
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Position
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appears to be in a better position to remain in office. However, he still needs to secure the required votes to form a government. Sánchez’s left-wing allies only control 171 of the 350 seats in parliament, which means he needs to persuade several MPs belonging to the Catalan separatist Junts party to vote for him. The Catalan separatists have conditioned their support for Sánchez on the granting of amnesty for those involved in the failed 2017 Catalan independence referendum and the consent to hold a new vote on self-determination. The socialist party argues that both demands are unconstitutional, but the separatists are refusing to budge. Sánchez needs to navigate these challenges to secure the necessary support for his bid to remain prime minister.
Difficult Position for King Felipe VI
The current political landscape in Spain puts King Felipe VI in a difficult position. His mission as the monarch is to identify the candidate most likely to secure the necessary votes to form a government. If Pedro Sánchez can prove that he has the required support, he would be the obvious choice. However, if Sánchez cannot demonstrate that he has locked in enough votes, it would be logical for the king to ask Alberto Núñez Feijóo to form a government, even if his bid is doomed to fail. Feijóo currently has the greatest amount of confirmed support, and granting him the opportunity to form a government first could potentially benefit Sánchez by allowing him more time to negotiate with the Catalan separatists before making his own bid for prime minister.
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Potential Consequences for the King’s Decision
No matter which candidate the king ultimately chooses to nominate as the next prime minister, he will face sharp criticism from different sides. If he selects Feijóo, the left will accuse him of being a conservative sympathizer and wasting the parliament’s bid on a candidacy that was never going to succeed. On the other hand, if he nominates Sánchez directly, the right will accuse him of having no backbone and caving to the leftists and separatists aiming to destroy the country. The king is in a no-win situation, and his decision will likely be met with criticism and accusations. This underscores the challenging nature of his role as a neutral arbiter in a polarized country.
Pressure on the King from Conservative and Far-Right Groups
King Felipe VI, unlike his father Juan Carlos I, has faced pressure from conservative and far-right groups. These groups aim to link the Spanish monarchy to their ultranationalist ideals and often refer to the king in their speeches. They juxtapose the integrity of the monarchy with their perceived decadence of Sánchez’s left-wing coalition government. This outside pressure adds to the complexity of the king’s decision-making process and puts the royal household in the delicate position of wanting to remain above the fold. To maintain the monarchy’s integrity and avoid illegitimate interference in democratic affairs, King Felipe VI is expected to stay neutral and refrain from playing politics.
Spain’s Transition to a More Fragile Parliamentary Monarchy
In the past decade, Spain has transitioned from a two-party system to a more mature, but also more fragile, parliamentary monarchy. This transition is apparent when comparing the number of consultations held by Juan Carlos I, the king’s grandfather, during his 38-year reign to the consultations held by King Felipe VI since 2014. Juan Carlos I held only 10 consultations to form a government, while Felipe VI has had to hold nine consultations in a significantly shorter period. This heightened political instability places an additional burden on King Felipe VI as he must navigate the complexities of governing with a fragmented political landscape.
The Burden of Political Instability on King Felipe VI
With the increased political instability in Spain, King Felipe VI has had a reign overshadowed by challenges. The abrupt abdication of his father, Juan Carlos I, amidst personal scandals and accusations of financial impropriety, set the stage for a reign marked by political turbulence. As the monarch, Felipe VI has been tasked with acting as a neutral arbiter in an increasingly polarized country. His role requires him to make decisions that will inevitably be met with criticism from different sides. This burden of political instability further underscores the challenges faced by King Felipe VI in fulfilling his duties as the head of state.
The King’s Determination to Remain Above the Fold
Despite the pressure and criticisms faced by King Felipe VI, his determination remains to keep the royal household above the fold and stay neutral in political affairs. Spanish kings have a historical precedent of illegitimate interference, which has led to negative consequences, as seen with the abdication of Alfonso XIII in 1931. Felipe VI aims to learn from these lessons and avoid engaging in any activity that could be perceived as overstepping his role. By staying neutral, the king hopes to maintain the monarchy’s integrity and fulfill his mission of identifying the candidate most likely to form a government.
Historical Precedent of Involvement of Spanish Kings in Politics
The involvement of Spanish kings in politics has had a turbulent history. The most recent example of illegitimate interference is King Felipe VI’s grandfather, Alfonso XIII, who backed a military dictatorship and subsequently lost his throne when Spain became a republic in 1931. This historical precedent serves as a cautionary tale for Spanish kings, highlighting the negative repercussions of playing politics. King Felipe VI aims to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and maintain the neutrality and integrity of the monarchy. By learning from historical precedents, the king can ensure that the monarchy remains a stabilizing force in Spain’s political landscape.
The Importance of Staying Neutral for the King
For King Felipe VI, staying neutral in the current political climate is of utmost importance. The criticisms and pressures he faces from various groups highlight the delicate position he occupies as the monarch. By remaining above the fold and refraining from interfering in political affairs, the king can maintain the integrity of the monarchy. His role as a neutral arbiter is essential for the stability and functioning of Spain’s parliamentary democracy. Despite the challenges and criticisms faced, King Felipe VI is determined to fulfill his duties with professionalism and dedication, ensuring that his decision for the next prime minister is based on what is best for the country.