SPAIN: Princess Leonor, the heir apparent to the Spanish crown, has sworn allegiance to the constitution in a ceremony that was abstained from by MPs supporting Catalan and Basque nationalism and republican government officials.
She took the oath in front of her parents, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, sister Sofía, and acting prime minister Pedro Sánchez at the Congress of Spain. Leonor swore allegiance 37 years after her father did so in 1986.
Her grandfather Juan Carlos, currently 85, left Spain for Abu Dhabi in August 2020 due to accusations of business transactions that damaged his reputation and embarrassed King Felipe. Later on Tuesday, Juan Carlos and his spouse, Sofía, were anticipated to attend a private birthday celebration for Leonor at the Pardo Palace.
Leonor formally pledged to uphold democratic principles and constitutional values, asking for trust in her and the future of the nation.
Sánchez welcomed the occasion. He faced harsh criticism for his consideration of a potential amnesty for the Catalan separatists who, six years prior, had been driving an illegal campaign for regional independence in exchange for their assistance in helping him create a new government. He emphasized the importance of political diversity and societal peace.
Podemos leader Ione Belarra, her colleague Irene Montero, and United Left MP Alberto Garzón were absent from the ceremony.
On X, Belarra said, “Princess Leonor’s constitutional oath today isn’t just another protocol event. The monarchy is looking to perpetuate itself over the coming decades but we are hoping that the institutions of state come under citizen sovereignty as soon as possible.”
Montero hints at corruption probes, stating citizens should choose their institutions in a democracy, as a monarchy’s hereditary premise is outdated and incompatible with democracy.
Large banners featuring Leonor’s face were displayed in Madrid, attracting large crowds. Catalonia’s pro-independence parties, Basque nationalist parties, and the Galician National Bloc boycotted the ceremony.
The conservative People’s Party (PP) head, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, wished Leonor a happy birthday and pledged allegiance to the crown, calling it a symbol of unity, democracy, and coexistence.
Far-right Vox party leader Santiago Abascal wrote on X, “Today is a day of celebration on which we have the honour of accompanying the princess as she takes the constitutional oath.”
“But even today we cannot allow ourselves not to speak the truth, nor to forget the betrayal of an acting prime minister who has delivered himself to the enemies of Spain. While the future queen of Spain swears her respect to the law, the acting prime minister is trampling on that same law. We will stand up to him,” he added further.
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