So much the better if those we look up to avoid returning the favour by looking down on us.
In the old days, we had ‘the Divine Right’ which pretty much allowed kings and dictators to do whatever they wanted, with God’s blessing and approval. In the UK, Cromwell put a major dent in this, and here in Spain, the Second Republic saw the Bourbons (wiki) leave into exile in 1931, to return (following Franco) in 1975.
Juan Carlos I (wiki) was a popular choice for the new Head of State (as far as anything created by Franco can be said to be popular in these Modern Times) and, by failing to support Guardia Civil Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero’s fascist coup in 1981, his approval was assured.
But, things have gone downhill for the monarch, not only precipitously succeeded while still alive by his (admirable) son Felipe, but now living under a cloud in exile in (of all places) Abu Dhabi.
We join the press clippings:
‘It has just been learned that the prosecution plans to archive the investigation on the emeritus king and that as a consequence he is already thinking of returning to Spain, although not permanently, but only for a visit, so as not to hinder the work of his son, the current King Felipe VI…’ says an opinion piece by Gaspar Llamazares titled ‘A sense of outrageous impunity’ at the left-wing Nueva Tribuna here.
El Confidencial says that, with the Emeritus escaping any inquiry into his business dealings and activities overseas, those who helped facilitate them – lawyers, accountants, bankers and agents – will breathe a sigh of relief, as they won’t be judged in open court either.
In the unlikely event of a referendum in Spain on the Monarchy, says El Salto here, 39% of the population would vote ‘Republic’ against 31% ‘Monarchy’.
Meanwhile, as Juan Carlos I (and Prince Andrew here and maybe Donald Trump here) are protected from a full and proper enquiry, the losers are the very democracies they represent.
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