Also distributed in Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. 1.50 euros at newsagents.
THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
FRIDAY 6th JUNE TO THURSDAY 19th JUNE 2014
EDITION 502
KING ABDICATES: T
NEW ERA AHEAD
HE King of Spain’s decision to abdicate after 39 years has opened debate about the future, not just for the entire country but for the Canary Islands as well.
There have already been calls for a referendum so people can choose whether they want the Monarchy to continue. Juan Carlos I announced his decision on the morning of June 2nd but by 8pm the same night, campaigners were out on the streets in various cities of Spain in support of a Republic. A spokesman for one of the political parties, Izquierda Unida said: “It is the hour of the people, let the people decide.” Elsewhere, however, great faith is being expressed in the ability and qualities of the King’s son and successor, Prince Felipe to meet the challenges which lie ahead. The People’s Party has expressed its loyalty to the Crown and pledged “absolute normality” in the succession process and institutional stability. The King had always been a supporter of the Canar y Islands and president of the Canary Government, Paulino Rivero praised the sensitivity he had shown to the pecu-
“Oil mockery” on Canary Day T HE Canary Islands have absolutely no intention of giving up the fight to stop oil exploration off the coast of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. President, Paulino Rivero says they will use all means possible to make their objections known and to present a united voice
to the Spanish Government. “We will be heard, one way or the other,” he said following an emergency meeting on Monday. Calls for a referendum to let
the people of the Canary Islands decide have also been renewed. Objectors are furious that Spain has approved the environmental regulations which will allow Repsol to sink test wells and have described the decision as the worse one ever taken in the history of the archipelago. Sr. Rivero described it as “a contempt, a meanness, a mockery” and warned it would affect relations with Madrid. He could not believe that
the Spanish Government’s environment department could reject the objections of so many major organisations, the Canary government, Canary Parliament and the two Cabildos closest to the drilling sites, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. “We have to say enough is enough,” he said. Lanzarote Cabildo has already announced that it will lodge an appeal against the go-ahead and described the decision as “a violation”.
Continued on page 2
liarities of the archipelago. Reacting to the abdication decision, Sr. Rivero said the King had been instrumental in the Spanish democracy and during his reign, he had lived through the greatest social and economic development. He believed the King had shown a deep knowledge of the islands and the realities of the archipelago and hoped Prince Felipe would continue this spirit. The 76-year-old King said he felt it was time to pass on responsibilities to a younger generation “with new energy and a new way of dealing with reality”. In a personal message full of emotion, the King said the country would always be in the depths of his heart and he hoped he had served both it and the people well. He said the long and deep economic crisis had left serious scars on the social fabric but there were signs that the country was on course for a future of hope. In recent years, he has suffered health problems but the Spanish Monarchy has also seen some difficult times and controversies. A recent poll showed that six in ten Spaniards thought he should abdicate. Juan Carlos took to the throne in 1975, shortly after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco and oversaw the advent of democracy. He has been praised for his leadership and for being “the King of all Spaniards”. The Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy said: “I am convinced this is the best moment for change.” The new King will be known as Felipe VI and the official Proclamation process will begin from June 16th. He is therefore expected to be proclaimed King within four to six weeks without pomp or ceremony.