It would be absurd to hide that Spain is going through a difficult time. Political instability, economic slowdown and territorial crisis conspire against the optimism that seems typical of these dates. For this reason, His Majesty's message wanted to start from the recognition of the difficulties we face as a country to formulate a determined invitation to trust in the future . The Spaniards have overcome much worse circumstances than these, he came to tell us the King, but they have done so by virtue of the defense of unity and the commitment to harmony. That is, of the values ​​enshrined in our Constitution, which always - also on this occasion - finds explicit claim in the King. Up to three times the King mentioned the Magna Carta in his speech, although in reality all of it was a defense of the spirit of the Transition that made her born.

Felipe VI had to face the greatest attack on the constitutional order since 23-F. And just as Juan Carlos I took a step forward at that critical juncture, his son did the same in his fundamental speech of October 3, 2017. The law of laws gives the Crown the role of symbol of the unity and permanence of the nation , and Felipe VI assumes that commitment firmly when necessary, but also with the necessary balance to avoid overflowing its institutional function. The 2019 Christmas message has been truffled with appeals to serenity, an antidote to ideological polarization, but the most repeated concept was that of unity. Nobody is hidden that this unit is threatened by the alliance with ERC that Pedro Sánchez pursues to achieve his investiture; in this sense, the King referred to Catalonia and slipped a reminder that places deputies as ultimately responsible for the situation: "It is up to Congress, according to our Constitution, to make the decision that it deems most convenient for the general interest of all Spanish people". Obviously, the general interest is not precisely represented by Oriol Junqueras.

Aware of the disaffection to which the blockade leads - or an unlocking at a high price - Felipe VI wanted to focus on the many achievements obtained: in the Spanish leadership in very diverse fields, in self-esteem that does not fall into complacency. Felipe VI wanted to expressly link the progress of Spain in recent decades to the constitutional foundation of our coexistence , to the framework of shared values ​​that the Magna Carta encourages and protects. And at the core of his message, he emphasized "the will to understand and integrate our differences into respect for our Constitution, which recognizes the territorial diversity that defines us and preserves the unity that gives us strength." These principles have become part of the identity of democratic Spain, but we cannot forget their fragility; That is why the King urged to prevent its erosion and to commit to its strengthening.

There was no shortage of allusions to other serious challenges facing Spanish society, from the direction of the European Union to immigration or the technological revolution, through labor inequality between men and women or the need to guarantee sustainability in the face of climate change.

"Let's stay united in democratic values," insisted Don Felipe, who again and again appealed to the need to make a path "together", as in our best past, to reach our most promising future. Those who lead that path, starting with the candidate for president, would do well to respond to the allegation against the division and the confrontation that comes from the Zarzuela.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Philip VI
  • Spain
  • ERC
  • Juan Carlos I
  • Oriol Junqueras
  • Pedro Sanchez
  • European Union
  • Politics
  • 40 years Spanish Constitution
  • Editorial

Sanchez's coup to the coup miners to the State

EditorialBy a constitutional unity agreement

EditorialUnbearable pressures