POLL: Almost half of Spanish people in favour of abolishing monarchy and creating republic

A NEW poll on the future of the monarchy saw almost half of Spaniards saying they would be in favour of abolishing the crown and making Spain a republic.
The survey, conducted by YouGov with a Spanish news website, asked more than 1,000 people from across the country if they were in favour of the monarchy or a republic. Those surveyed were also asked if they were in favour of a referendum to settle the issue.
It comes as a leading leftist and pro-republican politician called for a “very healthy” debate on making Spain a republic as the country marked the 40^th anniversary of its Constitution.
The YouGov survey showed a total of 48 per cent of respondents said they were in favour of making Spain a republic.
Around 35 per cent said they were in favour of keeping the monarcy while 17 per cent were undecided.
Almost 60 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds supported a republic, compared to about 45 per cent of people aged over 55.
People in each of Spain’s greater regions (Nordeste, Levante, Sur, Centro, Noroeste and Norte) preferred a republic to the monarchy.
The exception was the eastern Levante area, where monarchists outnumbered republicans by 43 per cent to 40 per cent.
When asked if a referendum should be called on the monarchy, more than 67.3 per cent of respondents said they would be in favour. Almost 22 per cent were against and almost 11 per cent were undecided.
It comes as Pablo Iglesias, leader of the leftist Podemos, said Spain should abolish its monarchy.
“In 2018, modern Spain does not need a head of state that is chosen by birth and identified with corruption and privilege,” he said.
Spain’s King Felipe defended the role of the monarchy in a speech marking Constitution Day on Thursday. It was “united” with democracy and freedom, he said.