Presidents Gather Amid Economic, Social Pressures

King Juan Carlos and Prince Felipe of Asturias met with leaders of Spain’s autonomous communities at the Spanish Senate building today.

The meeting, of course also attended by Spanish government leaders, including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, was especially important because of disagreements about the Spanish budget, funding for the country’s region’s and pro-independence rumblings in Catalonia.

Elsewhere in Madrid, King Juan Carlos gave Nueva Economía Fórum awards to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Portuguese President Aníbal António Cavaco Silva, both on behalf of their respective countries.

The Fórum facilitates debate between social, business and political leaders. President Napolitano also met with the King at Zarzuela Palace.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia then rushed to the airport for their official visit to Panama. Their agenda includes a visit to the Panama Canal expansion project.

Their Royal Highnesses will also visit Ecuador during their time in Latin America.