"Without respect for the Constitution, there is no democracy or coexistence possible; there are no liberties but imposition, there is no law but arbitrariness. Outside the Constitution there is no Spain in peace and freedom. And with the Constitution, Spain". With these resounding words, the King called yesterday to preserve the integrity and identity of the Magna Carta, to prevent "the germ of discord from settling among us. We can not afford it".
In what was his tenth speech since his proclamation in 2014, Felipe VI devoted most of his Christmas message to vindicating the values of the Constitution, which was promulgated 45 years ago. A message in an internal key, in which only explicit reference was made to the challenges facing Spain and to the concerns of the Spanish, and as a background, an implicit reflection on the climate of division and discord that has settled in the political class that affects institutions and citizens' trust. Unlike previous messages, the Head of State did not include in the words phrases relating to the problems the world is going through, such as wars or the climate crisis, only a small reference to the Ibero-American and European vocation of Spain with express mention of the semester of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The entire speech, a Christmas Eve classic, revolved around unity, loyalty and constitutional values, even the reference to Princess Eleanor's oath before the Courts was minimal and united her in the 45th anniversary of the Magna Carta.
The King began by recalling that, during almost five decades of democratic life, coexistence between Spaniards has started from shared feelings and the common search for everyone's well-being and prosperity. After pointing out the evidence that "in Spain every citizen has the right to think, to express himself and to defend his ideas with freedom and respect for others", the King recalled that "democracy also requires basic and broad consensuses on the principles we have shared and which have united us for several generations".
Union, as a supreme value, was another of the constants in the Christmas message of the Head of State who gave the Constitution the credit of having managed to overcome the division which, he said, "has been the cause of many mistakes in our history; that opened wounds, fractured affections and distanced people”. "Unity", concluded the King at this point, "must rest on the values that govern all democratic coexistence: freedom, justice, equality and political pluralism".
But the Magna Carta is not only an abstract legal norm, it is also, in the words of the King, the framework that allows us to ensure our model of life: "Express yourself freely, receive education, have a job, or protect yourself from illness; as is accessing housing, starting a family, receiving social assistance or having a decent retirement. All these daily events are what the Constitution shields, guarantees and protects".
For the King, the Constitution must be vindicated not only as a democratic value of the present and future but also "as an essential instrument and guarantee so that the lives of Spaniards can continue to flow with confidence, stability and certainty". And it was at this point that the King called on all State institutions to conduct themselves with "the greatest responsibility and always seek the general interests of all Spaniards". "Each institution, starting with the King, must be placed in the place that constitutionally corresponds to it, exercise the functions attributed to it and fulfill its obligations and duties". Felipe VI did not leave out a mention of the necessary unity between the different territories, "based on the solid links of the State with our autonomous communities and on the solidarity between them all".
The King went on to point out that "we must always ensure the good name, dignity and respect of our country", before recalling that "Spain has had throughout history the responsibility of influencing the course of humanity" , while he has always overcome his "periods of tragedy, silence, isolation and pain". The Head of State added that "we should become more aware of the great country we have, so that we can feel it more and take care of it together".
With these premises, the King listed the challenges facing the country, which must be met by the public authorities: "Guarantee to the young generations the legacy of a united, cohesive Spain, with a desire for understanding , and solid in its democratic, civic and moral convictions".
Felipe VI did not forget to include in the message a reference to the economic and social difficulties that affect the daily life of many Spaniards. A concern that manifests itself, especially, in relation to "employment, healthcare, the quality of education and the price of basic services". Paying special attention to "unacceptable violence against women", and in the case of young people, "access to housing". "I have no doubts", he added, "that unity will also be the key so that we can successfully face the serious and complex challenges of the future".
The King ended the message with words of hope, affirming that, despite the difficulties, Spain will continue forward. "With determination, with hope, we will do it together; aware of our historical and current reality, of our truth as a nation", he said to reiterate his institutional and personal commitment. “The Crown will always be on this path; not only because it is my duty as King, but also because it is my conviction”.
