Published time: June 02, 2014
Anti-royalist protesters attend a demonstration in Bilbao June 2, 2014. (Reuters / Vincent West)
Tens of thousands across Spain have taken to the
streets to demand a referendum on whether the country should keep its
monarchy or be proclaimed a republic following the abdication of King
Juan Carlos I.
The biggest rally, held
in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, united anti-monarchist
activists under the 'Monarchy No Thanks' campaign.
Thousands of people carrying Republican flags flooded the capital
hours after the 76-year-old monarch announced his resignation in
favor of his 46 year-old son. Spain's 15-M social movement
launched the proposal for a protest against the monarchy and the
declaration of a republic.
“Spain, tomorrow, will be Republican,” protesters
chanted.They
claimed that at least 20,000 police officers were deployed
throughout the city to ensure order.
The anti-monarchist movement gained momentum in left parties,
including Izquierda Unida (IU), the third political force in
Spain.
The call for protests spread across social networks to over 50
Spanish cities just minutes after the king's abdication was
announced Monday morning.
A
man wearing a mask depicting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy holds
a placard which reads, "I am part of the 5.5 million unemployed in this
country" during a protest against the Spanish monarchy in the
Andalusian capital of Seville, southern Spain June 2, 2014. (Reuters /
Marcelo del Pozo)
In Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia – which seeks greater
independence from Madrid – thousands also flooded the streets to
proclaim a republic.
Activists shouting “Dear Philip, nobody has chosen you,"
swore to pursue independence.
Anti-royalist
protesters show Catalan separatist flags during a demonstration at
Catalunya square in Barcelona June 2, 2014. (Reuters / Albert Gea)
The president of the Catalan government, Artur Mas, said that
"there will be a change in king, but there won't be a change
in the political process that the people of Catalonia are
following," AP reported.
Protesters
hold a placard with up-side-down portraits of Spain's first Bourbon
King Felipe V (L) and Crown Prince Felipe during an anti-royalist
demonstration at the town hall square in Valencia, June 2, 2014.
(Reuters / Heino Kalis)
Far-left parties urged a national referendum to abolish Spain's
monarchy and called nationwide protests Monday night across over
50 cities.
The call for a referendum is also being reinforced by an online
petition urging all political forces to seize this
“historical opportunity to promote a public debate that will
help regenerate democracy and determine the future of the
monarchy.”
A
woman holds a placard during a protest against the monarchy and in
favour of the Republic, in front of City Hall in Mataro near Barcelona,
June 2, 2014 (Reuters / Gustau Nacarino)
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