A majority of Spaniards supports a referendum on whether the country should remain a monarchy of become, once again, a republic, El País newspaper is reporting.
The news comes as Prince Felipe prepared to become King Felipe VI.
The newspaper also found that while most Spaniards support King Juan Carlos’ abdication, only 36 percent want an elected president.
Roughly 50 percent of respondents expressed support for a Monarchy under Felipe VI.
Support for the Monarchy is strongest among right-of-center voters. Socialists are divided, even though party leaders back the Monarchy.
The newspaper’s president wrote that people’s desire for more democracy and transparency was not necessarily linked to whether the country had an elected or hereditary head of state.
Numerous Spanish leaders agree with the need to reform the Constitution to address political challenges, including separatist sentiments in Catalonia and the Basque Country.
There is less elite support, however, for submitting the Crown to referendum.
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