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Spanish majority want referendum on monarchy Majority in Spain want referendum on future of monarchy
(35 minutes later)
The majority of Spaniards want a referendum on the future of the monarchy, according to a poll published less than a week after King Juan Carlos abdicated in favour of his son.The majority of Spaniards want a referendum on the future of the monarchy, according to a poll published less than a week after King Juan Carlos abdicated in favour of his son.
Nearly two-thirds – 62% – believe a referendum should be held "at some point" to decide whether Spain should continue to have a monarchy, the survey in centre-left daily newspaper El Pais showed.Nearly two-thirds – 62% – believe a referendum should be held "at some point" to decide whether Spain should continue to have a monarchy, the survey in centre-left daily newspaper El Pais showed.
Within hours of the 76-year-old king's announcement on 2 June that he was abdicating in favour of his son, thousands of people massed in central Madrid and other cities to demand a referendum on the monarchy.Within hours of the 76-year-old king's announcement on 2 June that he was abdicating in favour of his son, thousands of people massed in central Madrid and other cities to demand a referendum on the monarchy.
Thousands took to the streets again on Saturday, calling for a popular vote on the issue.Thousands took to the streets again on Saturday, calling for a popular vote on the issue.
Crown Prince Felipe, 46, is due to be crowned, probably on 19 June, in a joint session of parliament – whose members, both in the ruling party and in opposition, overwhelmingly support the monarchy.Crown Prince Felipe, 46, is due to be crowned, probably on 19 June, in a joint session of parliament – whose members, both in the ruling party and in opposition, overwhelmingly support the monarchy.
But a spate of scandals over the past three years has caused a dramatic drop in the monarchy's popularity, while public faith in Spain's institutions in general has declined during the economic crisis gripping the country.But a spate of scandals over the past three years has caused a dramatic drop in the monarchy's popularity, while public faith in Spain's institutions in general has declined during the economic crisis gripping the country.
If a referendum were to be held, the poll found 49% of people would prefer to have a monarchy with Felipe as king while 36% would support a republic.If a referendum were to be held, the poll found 49% of people would prefer to have a monarchy with Felipe as king while 36% would support a republic.
Republican sentiment remains strong in Spain, which only restored the monarchy in 1975 after the death of General Franco.Republican sentiment remains strong in Spain, which only restored the monarchy in 1975 after the death of General Franco.
The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has rejected calls for a referendum on the monarchy. He argues that Spain's 1978 constitution, which established a parliamentary democracy with the king as a largely ceremonial head of state, was supported by a great majority in a referendum at the time.The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has rejected calls for a referendum on the monarchy. He argues that Spain's 1978 constitution, which established a parliamentary democracy with the king as a largely ceremonial head of state, was supported by a great majority in a referendum at the time.
The El Pais survey of 1,000 people was carried out by the Metroscopia polling firm on 4-5 June.The El Pais survey of 1,000 people was carried out by the Metroscopia polling firm on 4-5 June.