King Juan Carlos met with a variety of Spanish business leaders today to discuss ways of improving the economic situation, promoting competitiveness and reducing sky-high unemployment.
Leaders present included executives of Spanish multinational firms Repsol, Inditex, BBVA and Iberdrola, among others. They met at Telefónica offices in Madrid.
The group, which has been referred to a “think tank” of sorts, was formed last year amid the economic meltdown. The King has urged business leaders to do all they can to promote job creation.
Iñaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma de Mallorca, has announced that he is taking a leave from his post at Spanish multinational Telefónica.
The Duke, husband of the King’s youngest daughter, the Infanta Cristina, is returning to Barcelona from his post in the Washington, D.C. area.
Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma.
Facing corruption allegations stemming from his work with the non-profit Noos Institute, media reports say Urdangarin wants to be in Spain to defend himself and wants to protect his employer from any controversy.
Anti-Urdangarin poster by Basque left-wing group. Credit: Joxemai
News reports from last month indicated that Urdangarin signed a new work contract with Telefónica. He was set to receive almost 3 million euro in compensation.
Prosecutors say the Duke and an associate funneled public funds for personal gain. They are also accused of document fraud.
The Duke denies wrongdoing and the Royal Household has stressed that King Juan Carlos urged his son-in-law to stay away from lucrative business dealings.
Media reports say Urdangarin, his wife and their children will move to a more modest home in the Barcelona area and abandon their current residence in the posh neighborhood of Pedralbes.
The Spanish Royal family is enjoying some down time during the summer vacation period.
Infanta Elena will be in London in the coming days for the Paralympic games, the Royal Household said. She is honorary head of Spain’s Paralympic Committee.
Her Royal Highness speaking at the Spanish embassy in London.
Last week King Juan Carlos visited an emergency command center in Madrid.
Prince Felipe has been representing the Kingdom at such ceremonies at Ibero-American countries since 1996. It’s a means of getting officials, particularly throughout Latin America, used to the future Spanish King.
During his visit, Prince Felipe also met with outgoing President Leonel Fernández, who was in Madrid earlier this year.
In the days leading up to yesterday’s festivities, the Prince and Princess of Asturias joined Queen Sofia in visiting Spanish athletes, touring the campus and speaking with journalists.
In an embarrassing moment that is making worldwide news, Olympics staff members refused the Royal Family entry to a restricted section at one of the venues. They wanted to greet Nico Garcia for a silver medal in Taekwondo.
Balearic Island anti-corruption prosecutors will present their findings next month related to corruption allegations against Infanta Cristina’s husband Iñaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma, according toEl País.
Officials allege that the Duke and his business partner embezzled public funds through their Nóos Institute, a non-profit group.
Last month local media reported that Urdangarin had signed a new work contract with Spanish multinational Telefónica. He will receive almost 3 million euro in compensation.
King Juan Carlos attended a bullfight last week to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the 1812 Constitution, Spain’s first attempt at Democratic government.
Don Juan Carlos traveled to the Port of Santa María in Cádiz for the bullfight. The region will play host to the 22nd Ibero-American Summit later this year.
Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were also on hand to greet a variety of guests. The gathering at Almudaina Palaca coincides with the Royal Family’s vacation in Palma de Mallorca.
The leaders of Spain’s two main labor unions — the Unión General de Trabajadores and Comisiones Obreras — met with King Juan Carlos today amid the nation’s ongoing economic turmoil.
The leaders expressed their opposition to a recent flurry of budget cuts, which they say are hurting workers and the needy.
The King has spoken in favor of European cooperation and integration. However, he has stressed the need for a balanced approach to dealing with the debt crisis.
The labor leaders expressed their discomfort with further EU intervention in Spain’s economy, which may come with painful strings attached.
Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia and their daughters, Infanta Leonor and Infanta Sofia, took a public outing yesterday during their vacations in Mallorca.
The magazine also showcased the Duchess of Alba’s first swim during her own vacations in nearby Ibiza. The Duchess is the woman with the most titles of nobility in the world.
LOS BORBONES 