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Spain Felipe: MPs to vote on new king Spain Felipe: MPs to vote on new king
(35 minutes later)
Spain's parliament is to vote on the abdication of King Juan Carlos and accession of his son Prince Felipe amid some calls for a referendum.Spain's parliament is to vote on the abdication of King Juan Carlos and accession of his son Prince Felipe amid some calls for a referendum.
Few doubt the transition will be approved, with the backing of the ruling centre-right Popular Party and most of the opposition Socialist party.Few doubt the transition will be approved, with the backing of the ruling centre-right Popular Party and most of the opposition Socialist party.
But a small number of Socialist MPs are said to be unhappy with the vote.But a small number of Socialist MPs are said to be unhappy with the vote.
Madrid and other cities have seen anti-monarchy rallies since Juan Carlos announced on 2 June he would step down.Madrid and other cities have seen anti-monarchy rallies since Juan Carlos announced on 2 June he would step down.
After nearly 40 years on the throne, the 76-year-old king said he was abdicating to make way for a "new generation".After nearly 40 years on the throne, the 76-year-old king said he was abdicating to make way for a "new generation".
The government says parliament has to approve the transition as it requires a change in the 1978 constitution.The government says parliament has to approve the transition as it requires a change in the 1978 constitution.
For much of Juan Carlos's reign, he was seen as one of the world's most popular monarchs, but recently many Spaniards lost confidence in him.For much of Juan Carlos's reign, he was seen as one of the world's most popular monarchs, but recently many Spaniards lost confidence in him.
In part, a long-running corruption investigation into the business dealings of his daughter and her husband tarnished the monarchy's reputation.In part, a long-running corruption investigation into the business dealings of his daughter and her husband tarnished the monarchy's reputation.
Support for the king fell further when it was discovered he had been on a lavish elephant hunting trip to Botswana in April 2012, in the middle of Spain's financial crisis.Support for the king fell further when it was discovered he had been on a lavish elephant hunting trip to Botswana in April 2012, in the middle of Spain's financial crisis.
'Resolutely democratic''Resolutely democratic'
Opening the debate on Wednesday, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy defended "the continuity of the institutions", saying the "form of the state "was not up for discussion.Opening the debate on Wednesday, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy defended "the continuity of the institutions", saying the "form of the state "was not up for discussion.
"We are not here to modify facts but to underline with our bill that in Spain we rely on a resolutely democratic parliamentary monarchy," he said."We are not here to modify facts but to underline with our bill that in Spain we rely on a resolutely democratic parliamentary monarchy," he said.
The outgoing Socialist leader, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, also backed the bill, expressing his loyalty to the constitution, which marked the foundation of democratic Spain under its monarch, after the Franco dictatorship.The outgoing Socialist leader, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, also backed the bill, expressing his loyalty to the constitution, which marked the foundation of democratic Spain under its monarch, after the Franco dictatorship.
Some 86% of deputies in the Congress are expected to back the abdication bill, AFP news agency reports.Some 86% of deputies in the Congress are expected to back the abdication bill, AFP news agency reports.
Three Socialist MPs who asked for a free vote on the bill were slapped down by party spokeswoman Soraya Rodriguez, who reminded them on Tuesday that they had to vote as a bloc in favour of the bill.Three Socialist MPs who asked for a free vote on the bill were slapped down by party spokeswoman Soraya Rodriguez, who reminded them on Tuesday that they had to vote as a bloc in favour of the bill.
MPs from radical leftist and Catalan pro-independence parties are expected to vote against the bill and demand a referendum on the future of the monarchy. Other small parties, such as the main Catalan party, are expected to abstain.MPs from radical leftist and Catalan pro-independence parties are expected to vote against the bill and demand a referendum on the future of the monarchy. Other small parties, such as the main Catalan party, are expected to abstain.
"We want to give a chance to the majority of citizens who are asking today for the power to decide their head of state," said Jose Luis Centella, deputy leader of the United Left, on Tuesday. Speaking in the debate, the spokesman of the Plural Left Group, Cayo Lara, called for a referendum, saying the monarchy was an "anachronistic" institution which was "radically unfair".
Opinion polls published at the weekend give a mixed picture of sentiment among Spaniards.Opinion polls published at the weekend give a mixed picture of sentiment among Spaniards.
A poll for the centre-left daily El Pais suggested 62% of people wanted a referendum, while 49% would favour the continuation of the monarchy under Felipe, compared with 36% who would back a republic.A poll for the centre-left daily El Pais suggested 62% of people wanted a referendum, while 49% would favour the continuation of the monarchy under Felipe, compared with 36% who would back a republic.
Another poll, for the centre-right El Mundo, suggested 55.7% backed the monarchy and 72.9% thought Felipe would make a good king.Another poll, for the centre-right El Mundo, suggested 55.7% backed the monarchy and 72.9% thought Felipe would make a good king.
The prince is expected to be proclaimed King Felipe VI on 19 June.The prince is expected to be proclaimed King Felipe VI on 19 June.
He will inherit the throne at a time when Spain is struggling with high unemployment and growing demands for independence for Catalonia.He will inherit the throne at a time when Spain is struggling with high unemployment and growing demands for independence for Catalonia.