Controversy in Spain after tax regularization of ex-king Juan Carlos
Former King of Spain Juan Carlos pictured in 2019. JOHN THYS Belga / AFP / File
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3 min
Big controversy in Spain after a tax regularization of the King Emeritus of around 4 million euros, for the fraudulent use of private jets as part of an offshore foundation headed by his cousin Alvaro d'Orléans, because this regularization does not aim in reality only to avoid the tax crime.
The controversy is once again focused on the former head of state, prosecuted for embezzlement.
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With our correspondent in Madrid,
François Musseau
King Felipe VI would have been well without news concerning his father Juan Carlos, the one who had abdicated in his favor in 2014 and who, since last August, has
taken refuge in Abu Dhabi
, in the United Arab Emirates, so as not to shade and spoil its image.
Juan Carlos is indeed at the center of three major judicial investigations, linked to a commission of 100 million euros that he allegedly received from Saudi Arabia in 2015 in relation to the installation of the rapid train in La Mecca.
The fiscal regularization, taken at the initiative of the King Emeritus, aims to prevent him from being prosecuted, and this irritates a good part of the Spanish political class.
Starting with the head of government Pedro Sanchez.
"
My government is disturbed and inconvenienced after all this news reported by the media concerning the former head of state,
" he commented.
Pedro Sanchez condemns the fraudulent acts alleged against Juan Carlos, but at the same time he tries to protect the current King Felipe VI and therefore the monarchy.
"
Here, we do not question an institution, in this case the Royal House, the Crown, here we question, we express doubts, on a person,
" he adds.
A recent survey shows that more than 40% of Spaniards are in favor of the Republic against only 36% in favor of maintaining the monarchy.
The Royal House has to worry about.
► To read also: Exile of Juan Carlos: the ex-king of Spain is in the United Arab Emirates
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Felipe VI
Juan Carlos
Pedro Sanchez
Saudi Arabia
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