Viva Constitutional Monarchy

by Eduardo del Buey

Viva Constitutional Monarchy

Upon his cowardly exit from the disaster zone in the Valencia region yesterday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took to the airwaves last night to describe the demonstrations against him in the disaster zone as the work of extreme right wing and Nazi groups

This was an obvious lie for anyone who watched the visit on television yesterday.

However, repeating a lie often enough converts it into the truth for many. 

As I mentioned in my previous article, the Sanchez government spent the day of the disaster passing legislation to take complete control of Spanish state television and radio rather than take immediate steps to mitigate the disaster.

This is paying off.

Since early morning, Spanish state television reporters on morning opinion programs have come out criticizing the King and Queen for visiting the region yesterday for being inopportune.

In reality, Sanchez had agreed to visit the region with the Royal couple. In my opinion, he did so to use them as a shield against criticism for his cowardly behavior or, at least, appear to have the share any blame through guilt by association.

Sanchez’s surrogates are now angry that the royal couple has emerged as heroes in contrast to Sanchez’s cowardly behavior.

In my view Sanchez and his supporters are now waging a public campaign against the monarchy because of the monarchy’s ability to provide emotional support for the victims and come out as a positive force in Spanish society.

Government support for the region and the victims has been absent for many days. Sanchez and his regional counterpart have preferred to play semantic games .

Hence, the results we are seeing today.

Sanchez’s actions all underscore his determination to remain in power at whatever the cost to Spaniards. His main opposition Partido Popular (PP) is no better, governing the Valencia autonomous region and matching the national Socialist (PSOE) government in avarice, incompetence, and in the eyes of some, criminal responsibility for the suffering of the victims.

As I witness this, I am reminded of the many conversations I had during my diplomatic career with Latin Americans who argued that constitutional monarchy was an anachronism and republicanism was the way of the future.

Republican governments of the right and the left in Latin America have left the region with a history of violence and corruption that continues to plague the region – enriching the political class and leaving most people wallowing in misery.

Republicanism in Latin America has been a divisive force with no countervailing institution to promote national unity.

And a symbol of national unity is essential if a society is to define and coalesce around a common set of values that defines its essence.

Spanish political leaders share their Latin American counterpart’s levels of venality and corruption.

They run for their own parochial interests and appear to have no commitment to the overall well-being of the average Spaniard.

Their behavior in this major disaster proves demonstrates this and underscores their incompetence or, worse, their deliberate complicity in poor governance and political cowardice.

The only difference today between today’s Spain and Latin America’s history of failed governance is the monarchy.

Having a national leader completely above the political fray and completely independent of political parties provides Spaniards with a moral and ethical point of reference that no political leader can provide given the very divisive nature of politics.

The monarchy doesn’t serve any particular political interest.

It serves all the people all the time, republicans and monarchists, leftists and rightists. It represents the Spanish state rather than the Spanish government, and is inclusive rather than exclusive in nature.

The behavior of King Felipe and Queen Leticia has demonstrated what true leadership is: courageous, compassionate, empathetic, willing to listen, and willing to share in the suffering of victims in times of crisis for no political or monetary benefit.

In contrast, the Sanchez’s behavior stands out as the epitome of partisanship.

So, I repeat the title of this article – viva the constitutional monarchy, an institution that provides relief from the political greed and venality of all politicians and offers a symbol of solace and support in times of national suffering,