Madrid hosts this October 12 the largest military parade since before the pandemic

MADRID, 9 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Madrid will host this Wednesday the largest military parade since before the pandemic on the occasion of the National Holiday. This October 12, more than 4,000 soldiers, more than 150 vehicles and 84 aircraft will parade through the center of the capital.

The military parade recovers its splendor after the restrictions caused by the health crisis caused by the coronavirus. In 2020 the parade had to be abolished and a small military act was held in the courtyard of the Royal Palace, while in 2021 there was a parade but the participating military did not reach 2,700.

The improvement in the health situation will also allow a return to normality in the subsequent reception offered by the King and Queen at the Royal Palace. The powers of the State are invited to it, among which is the president of the Constitutional Court and the CGPJ, Carlos Lesmes, who has threatened to resign imminently if there is no unblocking of the judicial power.

Also traditionally invited are members of the Government, the Board and spokespersons for Congress and the Senate, presidents of the main political parties, regional presidents, former presidents of the Government and presidents of other institutions such as the Council of State, the Court of Accounts, the Ombudsman of the People and the Attorney General of the State.

The acts of this National Holiday will begin with the arrival of the Kings and the Infanta Sofía to the Plaza de Lima at 11:00. Princess Eleanor, who is studying in Wales, will be absent again this year.

Along with the King and Queen, members of the Government will be in the parade, including the ministers of United We Can, and the regional presidents, with the foreseeable absences of those from Catalonia and Euskadi as every year.

There, the King and Queen will receive military honors and Felipe VI will review the troops, after which he will greet the authorities. Afterwards, the traditional skydiver jump with the Spanish flag will take place. After that there will be the raising of the flag and an act of homage to those who fell for Spain.

It will be followed by air and land parades of Army Units, Navy, Air Force, Civil Guard, Military Emergency Unit, Royal Guard, State Security Forces and Bodies and various Security, Civil Protection and Emergency agencies.

More than 150 vehicles and about 220 horses will take part in the ground parade, to which will be added the 84 aircraft (58 planes and 26 helicopters) that will star in the air parade.

The parade takes place shortly after the Government has approved the General State Budget project for next year, which included a significant increase in military investment, of 25.8 percent. The largest increase is intended for weapons programs to continue paying for those already committed, as well as renewing those that are becoming obsolete.