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Spanish cabinet discusses King Juan Carlos's abdication Spanish politicians lay out abdication timetable
(34 minutes later)
The Spanish cabinet is meeting to discuss the next steps in King Juan Carlos's abdication and the accession of his son, Crown Prince Felipe. Spanish politicians have been outlining the next steps in the abdication of King Juan Carlos and the accession of his son Crown Prince Felipe.
The king announced on Monday his intention to abdicate after nearly 40 years on the throne. Parliament Speaker Jesus Posada said that he thought the necessary legal steps could be completed by 18 June.
Ministers are considering a draft law on Prince Felipe's accession to the throne. The royal household would then decide the date of the coronation, he said.
Juan Carlos was seen as popular for much of his reign, but recently many Spaniards have lost confidence in him. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has rebuffed calls for a referendum on the monarchy, saying it had "the support of the great majority in Spain".
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the cabinet would consider "constitutional measures" needed to clear the way for the succession. King Juan Carlos announced on Monday that he would step down after nearly 40 years on the throne.
The Spanish constitution does not have a precise law regulating abdication and royal succession. He was seen as popular for much of his reign, but recently many Spaniards have lost confidence in him.
The legislation due to be drafted by the emergency cabinet meeting must then be approved by parliament. Correspondents say that the process could take as long as a month. On Monday evening, hours after his announcement, some left-wing parties staged demonstrations attended by tens of thousands of people across many cities, including Madrid and Barcelona, demanding a referendum on the monarchy.
The two main parties in parliament remain loyal to the monarchy. However, the two main parties in parliament remain loyal to the monarchy, with the El Pais newspaper estimating that at least 86% of MPs will approve the special law needed to ensure the succession.
But most left-wing parties are opposed and staged demonstrations attended by tens of thousands of people across many cities including Madrid and Barcelona. What the constitution says
"Send the Bourbons to the sharks!" protesters chanted in Madrid. The Spanish royal family is a branch of the House of Bourbon. Article 57, point 5 of the 1978 Constitution says that in case of abdication, the succession must be resolved by "an organic law".
Many demonstrators are demanding a referendum on the future of the monarchy. An "organic law" is one which is required for new developments in the most fundamental aspects of law and must be passed by a majority of all members of the lower house of parliament, not just a majority of those present.
Spanish media say Prince Felipe will be proclaimed King Felipe VI by parliament on 6 June and a coronation ceremony will be held soon afterwards. Mr Rajoy and his minsters have been holding an emergency cabinet meeting to draw up the special law needed under the constitution to facilitate the succession.
It is not clear when exactly that will be - King Juan Carlos was crowned five days after parliament proclaimed his as king. The legislation must then be approved by parliament, with a vote in the lower house expected on 11 June and one in the upper house on 17 June, according to Spanish media.
The new king will inherit an institution that has been tarnished by scandals in recent years. "I think that by 18 June, everything could be prepared for the proclamation of the king in parliament," Mr Posada said.
"But that is not my decision to take. We will speak with the royal household and with the government," he added.
The new king, who will be Felipe VI, will inherit an institution that has been tarnished by scandals in recent years.
He will have to contend with a long-running corruption investigation into the business dealings of his sister and her husband.He will have to contend with a long-running corruption investigation into the business dealings of his sister and her husband.
Support for the monarchy fell further when it was discovered that Juan Carlos had been on a lavish elephant hunting trip to Botswana in April 2012, in the middle of Spain's financial crisis. Support for the monarchy fell further when it was discovered that Juan Carlos had been on a lavish elephant-hunting trip to Botswana in April 2012, in the middle of Spain's financial crisis.
Stabilising force
Juan Carlos took the throne in 1975, after the death of General Francisco Franco, the dictator who had ruled for 36 years.Juan Carlos took the throne in 1975, after the death of General Francisco Franco, the dictator who had ruled for 36 years.
The king became Spain's first crowned head of state for 44 years.The king became Spain's first crowned head of state for 44 years.
But he soon ignored Franco's supporters, who wanted an extension to autocratic rule, and ushered in a new system of parliamentary monarchy. But he soon ignored Franco's supporters, who wanted an extension to autocratic rule, and ushered in a new system of parliamentary democracy.
In later years he became more of a figurehead. Recent European abdications
He has been credited as a stabilising force for independence-minded areas such as Catalonia and the Basque region.
Prince Felipe and his wife - former television presenter Princess Letizia - have recently taken on more important roles in ceremonial events.
Felipe appears to have been untarnished by the scandal.
But the BBC's Ignacio del los Reyes, in Spain, says there is still concern over whether the couple will be able to save a damaged institution.
Recent European Abdications
Are you in Spain? What is your reaction to the king's abdication? What next for the Spanish royal family? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'King Juan Carlos'.Are you in Spain? What is your reaction to the king's abdication? What next for the Spanish royal family? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'King Juan Carlos'.