By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Managing Editor

MADRID, Spain – Thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets in dozens of cities across the country to protest the Spanish Monarch. The protesters have called for a referendum to abolish the Spanish Monarch, which they see as out-of-touch and outdated. It only took a few hours after 76-year old King, Juan Carlos, announced he was abdicating the thrown in favor of his son for Anti monarchy protests to take to the streets across the country. According to an El Pais Poll, almost two-thirds of the Spanish population are opposed to the continuation of the Monarchy in Spain.

On Saturday, dozens of left-wing political parties and citizens organizations came to support republicanism. The Protesters chanted ” España, mañana, será republican” meaning “Spain, tomorrow, will be republican,” as they waved the colors of the country’s Second Republic, red, purple and gold, which was established in 1931 but overthrown just ten years later by Generalissimo Francisco Franco at the end of the country’s civil war. In Madrid the protests, were among the largest mass rallies seen in the nation’s capital. Thousands of protesters also gathered in Barcelona, chanting “Dear Felipe, nobody has chosen you.”

The anti-monarchist movement, which has gained popularity in Spain due to the public frustration with the political system, corruption, and high unemployment, views the country’s royal family as a main part of Spain’s political problems. Mercedes Trujillo, an anti-monarchist campaigner said, “we don’t want them to think we are like babies, that we can’t decide what we want. We don’t want a king, we want to choose,”

Supporters of the Spanish Monarchy have held smaller demonstrations. They argue that the monarchy is a uniting force, keeping Spain’s regions together in a way that a President would not. Alberto Nunez, a supporter of the Monarchy, said that the king “has been for socialists, for populists, he has spoken to governors, presidents from all over the world no matter their ideology. A president of a Republic might have issues.”

In the Basque region, which has a unique language and culture and has long sought greater autonomy from Spain, of Northern Spain estimated 100,000 protesters formed a 123km human chain linking the Basque town of Durango to Pamplona, the capital of the Navarre region. The protesters waved Basque flags, calling not only for the end of the Spanish Monarchy but for the right of the people in Basque to vote for their region’s independence. The Protesters linked arms and raised their hands in the air, holding Basque Flags, as helicopters flew overhead. In recent years Basque leaders have negotiated more tax independence from Spain. The Violent separatist group ETA, which has been weakened by arrests and decreasing popular support, declared an end to its armed struggle in 2011. On May 29 adopted a symbolic declaration of self-determination.

In recent months democratic independence movements have gained popularity in Spain, partially inspired by demonstrations in Catalonia. The Catalan President, Artur Mas, told the press last week that he was forging ahead with plans for an Independence vote to be held on November 9 which the central government has said it will block on constitutional grounds.

For more information please see:

The Guardian – Majority in Spain Want Referendum on Future of Monarchy – 9 June 2014

Al Jazeera – Anti-monarchy Protests Persist in Spain – 8 June 2014

International Business Times – Thousands Stage Anti-Monarchy Protests Across Spain – 8 June 2014

Reuters UK – Basques Form 123-km Human Chain calling for independence Vote – 8 June 2014