Spain on high alert as King Juan Carlos officially abdicates

KING JUAN CARLOS is set to sign the abdication law today, one day prior to his son’s coronation.

The Spanish Senate approved King Juan Carlo’s abdication on Tuesday, after 40 years of reign. This was ameasure which completes the final parliamentary procedure needed for the coronation of Felipe VI, as the decision to step down left Parliament with the task of figuring out how to move forward due to a lack of laws on the issue.

But as the anti-monarchist movement gained momentum across Spain, the Interior Ministry has raised the terrorist alert level from Level 2 to Level 3.

Tens of thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets to demand a referendum, as far-left parties urged a national referendum to abolish Spain’s monarchy after the surprise abdication of King Juan Carlos I.

The biggest anti-monarchist rally was held in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square on June 2, with thousands of protesters carrying Republican flags under the slogan ‘Monarchy No Thanks’.

The proclamation of Felipe VI as Spain’s next monarch is scheduled fortomorrow (Thursday), although the deployment of more than 7,000 officers (2,100 of them highly trained riot police), 4,300 National Police and 2,672 Guardia Civil began on Monday morning, led from the CEMAN Command Centre.

The ground troops will be supported by the Subsurface Reconnaissance Unit, air support,and a cavalry squadron, on what the Spanish press is calling ‘El Día Grande’.

“The full and comprehensive deployment is to ensure the safety of those involved,” said a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry.

The new king is scheduled to parade through the streets of Madrid after the proclamation ceremony. 

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Euro Weekly News Media

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments