Spain`s opposition party greets future king

The Spanish Socialist Party wished success to the future King of Spain, Felipe de Borbon, as the head of state after his father Juan Carlos de Borbon abdicated.

Madrid: The Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) wished success to the future King of Spain, Felipe de Borbon, as the head of state after his father Juan Carlos de Borbon abdicated on Monday. Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, secretary general of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), said this was the beginning of a new era and Felipe de Borbon represented the respect for the Spanish constitution, Xinhua reported.

Rubalcaba said that Felipe was the best guarantee for the new reign so that it can "be a new period of success in our collective life". Rubalcaba highlighted the commitment of the PSOE to the coexistence and consensus that exists within the Spanish constitution. Meanwhile, other parties in the country asked for a referendum on the monarchy issue. Pablo Iglesias, leader of the Left-wing political party Podemos, asked for a referendum in order to choose between monarchy and republic. According to Iglesias, the Spanish monarchy "is an institution identified with corruption and the past" after the court cases related to Infanta Cristina, the kings` daughter, and her husband. Another Left-wing political party, Izquierda Unida, also called for a referendum. Its leader, Cayo Lara, said that it was "time for Spaniards to decide and talk". The 76-year-old Juan Carlos de Borbon was named the King of Spain on November 22, 1975, two days after the death of General Franco, who had nominated him as his successor. The king embarked on a process to bring democracy to Spain and was a key figure in the failed military coup of February 23, 1981, when he made a television broadcast asking for the unanimous support to the democratic government.