King Referees Political Impasse

King Felipe has been meeting with Spanish political party leaders as they negotiate among themselves to form a government after a second round of parliamentary elections.

Rey_Audiencia_Presidenta_Congreso_03_20160720 — King Felipe with Congress President Ana Pastor at Zarzuela Palace. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

The process has generated some controversy after the leader of Ciudadanos suggested asking His Majesty to help convince the socialists to give up their opposition to a conservative led government.

rey_consultas_ciudadanos_20160728_02 — The King with Ciudadanos head Albert Rivera. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

The conservative Popular Party won the elections but not with the majority necessary to form a government without coalition partners.

Even though the King is deeply involved in hekping form a government, he must remain neutral in accordance with the Spanish Constitution and custom.

Su Majestad el Rey con Mariano Rajoy representante del Partido Popular (PP) — The King with Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. © Casa de S.M. el Rey

King Felipe asked conservative Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, as the winner, to form a government. But its unclear whether he will be able to do so.

Royals Focus On Crash

Members of the Spanish Royal Family have continued focusing on the recent Germanwings airplane crash on a flight from Barcelona to Dusseldorf.

Late last week King Felipe held a meeting in his dispatch at Zarzuela Palace with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to discuss the incident.

Queen Sofia, his mother, presided over a moment of silence during an awards ceremony in Toledo.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia were starting a state visit to France when the plane crash. They cancelled their plans as a result.

Thin Summer Agenda

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.

20120829_londres_2 — Her Royal Highness speaking at the Spanish embassy in London.

Last week King Juan Carlos visited an emergency command center in Madrid.

20120823_112_1 — Group picture at 112 Emergency Response Center.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

Also on the agenda was a meeting with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Zarzuela Palace, where the economy was one of the topics of discussion.

20120822_despacho_presidente_gobierno_2 — King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

King Convenes Ministers Amid Economic Crisis

King Juan Carlos called upon government ministers, including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, to inform him about the economic situation and crisis measures.

20120713_consejo_ministros_03 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey / Borja Fotógrafos

During the meeting, the King said Spain was “a mature society that knows how to respond with responsibility, solidarity, maturity and a spirit of sacrifice to pressing circumstances.”

He expressed his concern for disappointed young people looking for work and said economic recovery must spare nobody. He added that Spain “does not lack experience nor examples of resilience.”

20120713_consejo_ministros_02 — King Juan Carlos greets government Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría.

The King has convened the Council of Ministers a dozen times since the 1978 constitution, the Royal Household said.