The King appeals to everyone's responsibility to avoid the risk of deterioration of institutions and coexistence

He warns that "a divided country does not advance" and that the institutions must be an example of integrity

Ask to have confidence in the Spanish nation and defend the transition and the Constitution

MADRID, 24 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

King Felipe VI has called for responsibility to avoid the risk of deterioration of the institutions as well as of coexistence, warning that divided countries are not advancing and of the risk that this entails for democracy. Likewise, he has vindicated the Constitution and the Transition, whose values ​​are still valid, and argued that Spain is a great nation that will also overcome the current economic crisis.

After a turbulent week in national politics, the monarch took advantage of his traditional Christmas message to warn of the three risks that, in his opinion, threaten democracy in Spain today: "division", "the deterioration of coexistence" and "the erosion of institutions".

"A country or a divided or confronted society does not advance, it does not progress or solve its problems well, it does not generate trust," he stressed, arguing that what the union does in the face of this is strengthen democracies, something that Spain knows "from experience own".

The Constitution, "the result of dialogue and understanding, represents the union achieved among Spaniards, as a commitment to the future, diversity and concord, for a young democracy", he stressed, stressing that today the constitutional values ​​are " rooted in our society" and serve as a reference to "continue to find the union that ensures stability, cohesion and progress".

Likewise, it also guarantees coexistence, "our greatest heritage", he has claimed, stressing that this "needs to be guided by reason" and that "it demands to put the will to integrate before the desire to exclude".

For this, Don Felipe has continued in his argument, it is necessary to strengthen the institutions, which must protect citizens, attend to their concerns and guarantee their rights and respond "to the general interest".

Spain needs institutions that "exercise their functions with loyal collaboration, with respect for the Constitution and the laws, and be an example of integrity and rectitude", the King remarked, stressing that this is "a daily purpose" with which the Institutions, including the Royal House, must "always be committed".

It has been at this point that Felipe VI has responded to the expectation generated as to whether he would send some kind of message to the political class after a week of tension as a result of the suppression of the crime of sedition and the reduction in sentences. for embezzlement and the failed attempt to modify the rules for majorities in the Constitutional Court by the Government.

In his opinion, "at this time we should all carry out an exercise of responsibility and reflect constructively on the consequences that ignoring these risks may have for our union, for our coexistence and our institutions."

Above all, it has abounded, because "we cannot take everything we have built for granted." Almost 45 years after the Constitution, things have changed and will continue to change "but the spirit that gave birth to it, its principles and foundations, which are the work of all, cannot be weakened or forgotten," he stressed.

"They are a unique value in our constitutional and political history that we must protect, because they are the place where we Spaniards recognize each other and where we accept each other, despite our differences, the place where we have lived together and where we live together in freedom. ", he remarked.

"We are one of the great nations of the world, with many centuries of history, and we Spaniards all have to continue deciding our destiny, our future together," the monarch claimed, "taking care of our democracy, protecting coexistence and strengthening our institutions" .

The King has also referred in his message to the war in Ukraine, after acknowledging that 2022 has been a "complicated and difficult" year, lamenting the destruction and suffering that it has brought with it.

Spain, in addition to reinforcing with its allies "the collective defense capacity" has also made clear its "commitment that the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of States are inalienable principles of the international order based on rules and that it must always seek peace," he stressed.

Likewise, he has recognized the "profound impact on the economy" that the conflict is having. "The rise in prices, especially food, causes insecurity in homes. Having to deal with daily tasks such as turning on the heating or the light or filling the gasoline tank ends up being a source of concern and implies, in many cases, important personal and family sacrifices", he lamented, demanding "the continuous support of the public powers to alleviate" these circumstances.

All this new scenario, Felipe VI has admitted, causes "great concern and uncertainty." However, although the seriousness of these problems cannot be "ignored", he has said, "we cannot deny that things can change and improve".

For this reason, he has defended the need to "have confidence in ourselves, as a nation." "The transformation and modernization of Spain in the last four decades, thanks to the success of our transition to democracy and the approval of our Constitution, endorses that trust," she said.

It is also justified by the fact that "other economic, social or institutional crises" have been overcome before, the latest being the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are a country that has always known how to respond, not without difficulties or sacrifices, to all adversities, which have not been few throughout these years," she stressed.

Don Felipe has also placed special emphasis on the importance of belonging to the European Union, of which Spain will assume the Presidency in the second half of 2023. "Europe represented and also represents freedom for Spain" given that "it contributed to consolidate our democracy, to boost our economic growth and our social development", he recalled. "I am sure that Spain's commitment will be reinforced with the rotating Presidency", he remarked.

Despite the fact that we live in "uncertain times", "if the success of a nation depends on the character of its citizens, and on the personality and spirit that moves its society, we must have reasons to look to the future with hope", he confided. the monarch.

"With confidence in our country, in a Spain that I know well, courageous and open to the world: the Spain that seeks serenity, peace, tranquility; the responsible, creative, vital and supportive Spain. That is what I see, the that I hear, the one that I feel in many of you; and the one that, once again, will come out ahead", he concluded. "In our hands is she."

The message has been recorded on this occasion in the Audience Hall of the Palacio de la Zarzuela, with the flags of Spain and the EU and two mythological paintings belonging to National Heritage. Next to the monarch, to his right, a photo of the dinner offered to the leaders who attended the NATO Summit last June.

At the end of the speech several images of some of the acts carried out by the Royal Family could be seen, with special attention to those in which Princess Leonor has participated, including the delivery of the Princess of Asturias awards. Among the photos it has also been possible to see the Kings and their daughters during a visit to a reception center for Ukrainian refugees.