Editorial: A new Spain

A new King for a new Spain. The new Spain is one which has been deeply hit by recession and public anger at the wave of political corruption.  The new Spain is more critical and wants change.  There are growing calls for Cataluña to break away and even some in the Basque Country are calling for independence. Spain has never known a recession like this one. Thousands have lost their homes, millions have lost their jobs and the old Spain of economic might is a distant memory. The European elections saw a major rise in support for left-leaning parties. The alarm bells are ringing in the political establishment. The ruling Partido Popular won the poll but was left reeling by  a massive drop in votes.  These are difficult times in Spain. Democracy is well consolidated and younger Spaniards do not remember the dark days of Franco. So the new King has a battle on his hands. He will seek to keep Spain together and try and silence the calls for independence in Cataluña and the Basque Country. Then there are Spain´s big economic problems and the millions of unemployment. And also the new King will have to deal with the fallout from his brother-in-law being involved in alleged fraud plot. Even his sister has been questioned by a Palma judge over the allegations.  But the new King is part of the new Spain. He must have the same courage and “man of the people skills” as his father but also show the he is a modern monarch in a modern Spain.