The Constitution, which he mentioned twelve times, more than once a minute; and the unity of Spain, taken for granted by those who predicted its disintegration. These were the themes to which the King dedicated this Sunday evening almost monographically, his tenth Christmas message since his accession to the throne. He could have referred to many other topics, as he himself acknowledged at the beginning of his speech, but was aware that it is his speech with the most followers – 6.7 million viewers last year – a unique opportunity to get into the homes of Spanish families has preferred to focus on two topics that, judging by his tone and words, he considers particularly serious.
Had Felipe VI. Already warned last year of the danger posed by the “deterioration of coexistence” and the “erosion of institutions,” this time he is going one step further. He alluded, without citing it, to one of the darkest pages in Spain's history – the civil war that devastated the country 87 years ago and paved the way for almost four decades of dictatorship – and warned against the temptation to fall back into confrontation. Fratricide.
“Thanks to the Constitution, we have managed to overcome the division that has been the cause of many mistakes in our history; “It opened wounds, broke affections and distanced people,” he said. “Overcoming this divide was therefore our greatest success almost five decades ago. Therefore, it is a moral duty that we all have to prevent the seeds of discord from ever taking root among us. Because we can’t afford it,” he added.
At a time when insult seems to have taken root in Spanish political life and the agreements between parties are portrayed as concessions or betrayals, the King stressed: “In Spain every citizen has the right to think, to express himself and to speak out.” Defend your ideas.” But this must be done “with respect for others,” he added. And taking into account the fact that “democracy also requires a fundamental and broad consensus on common principles.” Namely: “Freedom “, justice, equality and political pluralism”; those values that “give strength and stability to a democratic system” like the Spanish one. “We must not forget that one of our great advantages in democracy is coexistence,” he emphasized.
After his call to reduce tensions and restore consensus, Felipe VI. a serious warning to the state institutions, reminding them that they must behave “with the greatest responsibility” and “always loyally pursue the general interests of all Spaniards” according to the Constitution.” And he emphasized: “Every institution, starting with the King, must position itself in the position assigned to it by the Constitution, carry out the functions assigned to it and fulfill the duties and obligations that the Constitution imposes on it.”
In recent weeks, parts of the far right have tried to pressure the head of state to give up his role as arbiter and intervene in the political fight. At the same time, the government has stressed that the PP's refusal to comply with its constitutional obligations and sit down for negotiations resulted in the renewal of the General Council of Justice (CGPJ) being blocked for five years.
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“We must also respect other institutions in the exercise of their own powers and contribute mutually to their strengthening and prestige,” the monarch added in a statement so ambiguous that those who claim that the amnesty falls within the powers of the Courts intervene, these words are protected, but so can those who criticize the fact that the CGPJ decided on the draft law containing the measure of grace when it did not yet exist. Those who accuse the PP of referring domestic political disputes to the European institutions can also be considered supported, given the King's call to “always ensure the good name, dignity and respect of Spain”. But in this sentence can find support those who claim that the government is unfairly aligned with parties like the Junts, which have been attacking Spain's image abroad for years.
His speech, which was not polysemic, was about the unified defense of the Constitution, which was, in his words, “the greatest political success in our recent history” and not only made it possible to “build a comprehensive, open and inclusive system and to consolidate”. Democracy, a social and democratic constitutional state,” but also “overcoming various and serious crises of recent years,” he added, in the only veiled allusion to the Catalan independence process.
Felipe VI has claimed the Constitution “as an instrument and guarantee” so that “the lives of Spaniards can continue to proceed with confidence, stability and certainty”, but he has warned that it must not only be respected, but also their identity must be preserved. as a pact collective” and maintain its integrity “as a place of mutual recognition, acceptance and encounter recognized by all Spaniards”. He explicitly warned: “Without respect for the Constitution, neither democracy nor coexistence is possible; there are no freedoms except coercion; There is no law except arbitrariness. “Outside the constitution there is no Spain in peace and freedom.”
After the warnings and admonitions, he sent a message of optimism and confidence in the ability of Spanish society to fend off the risks and overcome the challenges that lie ahead. He portrayed Spain as a “strong society” that had shown “exemplary civic behavior” in the face of the pandemic and demonstrated “courage, dignity and principles in the face of terrorism”; and defended its constitutional values “when they were or were questioned.”
“The ultimate reason for our successes and progress in recent history has been precisely the unity of our country,” he stressed, adding: “I have no doubt that unity will also be the key for us to overcome the serious and complex “Spain is just around the corner today.”
Neither Gaza nor Ukraine
At a time when pro-independence supporters are declining at the polls but gaining political influence, the king has banished the specter of the perceived danger of the collapse of national unity. “Spain will continue,” he declared. “With determination and hope, we will do it together, conscious of our historical and current reality, our truth as a nation. The Crown will always remain on this path, not only because it is my duty as King, but also because it is my belief.”
The Constitution and National Unity covered a similar length to last year's speech (1,467 words), which omitted international politics except for a reference to the Spanish EU presidency. He did not mention the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza or the war in Ukraine, which he spoke about last Christmas. Instead, he listed “economic and social difficulties”, employment, health, education, the price of basic services, “unacceptable violence against women” and young people’s access to housing among the topics he would have liked to talk about. But he did so only to ensure that the rights involved “are the rights which the Constitution protects, guarantees and protects.”
It was the same constitution, he recalled, that the Princess of Asturias swore before the Cortes on October 31st when she came of age. Although Leonor de Borbón had a strong role that year, he only mentioned her again at the end; as he said goodbye on behalf of the royal family and wished them a Merry Christmas in Spanish, Basque, Catalan and Galician. However, the image of the heiress was present throughout the speech in the only photo visible behind the king: the photo of the day his daughter swore in the Constitution.
La Zarzuela shows the royal family with the people
The images that appeared after Felipe VI's speech. appear while the national anthem is played, show the King, Queen, Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía saluting in Madrid (swearing-in of Leonor de Borbón), at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the Canary Islands with families, who were affected by the La Palma or Yuste volcano in 2023 (Carlos V Awards). They all have a common connection, the closeness of the royal family to the people, except for the last one. in which the kings prepare for the coronation of Charles III. of England dress up. Like last year, Felipe VI's speech was held. recorded in the audience hall of La Zarzuela Palace, where the king sits in a blue suit, white striped shirt and tie.