Abdication of King Juan Carlos I European Parliament election, 2014 (Spain)

one week after election, spanish king juan carlos announced intention abdicate in favour of son, felipe. allegedly, election results had no influence in king s abdication. rather, elderly monarch had taken decision day of 76th birthday in january , had spoken prime minister mariano rajoy on 31 march , opposition leader rubalcaba 3 days later, not until after election announced in order not affect electoral process. however, abdication not regulated under spanish constitution of 1978 , required approval of organic law on matter. pp, psoe, upyd, cc, fac , upn pledged support law s approval. attention turned psoe leader alfredo pérez rubalcaba rumours spread him not resigning right away day after election keep controlling party ensure affirmative vote of parliamentary group on law. received criticism several of party s regional federations members , socialist youth, openly republican, demanded party ask referendum on monarchy issue.

furthermore, there speculation on opportunity of king abdicating @ time did. in fact, due crisis of bipartisanship self-evidenced european election results, idea of king announcing decision before 2015 general election, when election results translate pp , psoe losing host of seats in congress of deputies, making building of large majorities more difficult, became extended among public opinion. fact future of spanish socialist workers party s position on monarchy, future of party itself, looked uncertain after debacle in european election , rubalcaba s resignation seemed have played key part in precipitating king s decision. pm rajoy said, on day king announced abdicate, best time [for happen], within short time prince shall proclaimed king .