After a 2017 during which many of Spanish king Felipe VI's speeches were marked by the Catalan independence conflict, with repeated calls for the unity of Spain and for political institutions to guarantee respect for the Constitution (before the application of article 155 to Catalonia), the monarch has turned the page in his first speech of the year. The speech came during today's Pascua Militar, a large, annual military parade, at the royal palace in Madrid. It marked the first official event the king at which had been accompanied by his father, former king Juan Carlos I, since the latter's abdication.
"Security and national defence are a task for everyone" was the only comment that could be taken as a reference to the territorial question, although a very subtle one, less than two weeks after the head of state aimed a new warning at the independence movement (link in Catalan), in the face of the possibility of the unilateral path being taken up again. "The route cannot lead again to confrontation or exclusion which only generate discord, uncertainty, despondency and moral, civil and economic decline of a whole society", he said then, in his traditional Christmas speech, shortly after the 21st December election.
In front of the senior ranks of the military establishment, Felipe VI gave some words of thanks to the armed forces, saying that they have "the appreciation of all Spaniards, the support and stimulus of the crown". "You have to continue with the necessary task of explaining your work, the efforts you make in favour of the freedom and security of the public," he added. The message comes after last year's controversies, including the "a por ellos" (go get them) slogan and the actions of Spain's National Police and Civil Guard during the 1st October referendum.
Photo: EFE
The king highlighted the Spanish "spirit of openness", which he said was seen in the crown's participation in first circumnavigation of the globe, the 500th anniversary of which is coming up shortly. His historical review included words congratulating his father, Juan Carlos I, whose 80th birthday was yesterday, 5th January, and his mother, queen Sofia, who will also turn 80 later this year. He emphasised the former king's "devotion" in service of Spain and described the 40 years of the Spanish Constitution as a "great pact of coexistence" between citizens.
In the royal palace's throne room, Felipe VI was accompanied by his wife, queen Leticia, the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish government's delegate to Catalonia, Enric Millo, the Interior minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, and the minister of Defence, Dolores de Cospedal. De Cospedal echoed the current king's praise for Juan Carlos. She attributed him with "leadership" over the transition from the dictatorship to a "democratic, modern Spain of reconciliation, harmony and coexistence" as well as with "love of Spain, loyalty to the crown and to duty".
Photo: @Defensagob
The minister did stress respect for the law during her speech (without direct allusion to Catalonia), noting the role of the armed forces to "guard and protect liberty, in the dividing line between democracy and arbitrariness". She said that part of the army's mission is to combat "tyranny in any form" and "to preserve peace in the world", words justifying the numerous international missions Spain is involved in.
After discussing her ministry's plans for the next year, De Cospedal lingered on the alleged "interference and disinformation campaigns" other countries are carrying out towards domestic policy, as a "new battlefield" and global threat. "Let's not deceive ourselves, it destabilises countries for geopolitical and geostrategic interests. We're not sure whether it's a new, more powerful form of confrontation and control", she said, adding that they would work on the issue to maintain the public's liberties.
Felipe's fourth Pascua Militar concluded with the monarch inviting the attendees to shout the traditional "viva España!" (long live Spain), which was returned with a "viva el Rey!" (long live the King). The rain, meanwhile, meant the normal review of troops had to be changed for a salute under cover, with the Spanish hymn playing in the background.