Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Spain's Exiled Ex-King Returns Home After Two Years, Attracts Backlash

Spain's Exiled Ex-King Returns Home After Two Years, Attracts Backlash

Although prosecutors closed their probes into Juan Carlos I's affairs in March, revelations about the murky origins of his fortune have done irreparable damage to his reputation.

Spain's former king made his first trip home on Thursday after nearly two years in exile following a string of financial scandals, sparking widespread criticism.

Although prosecutors closed their probes into Juan Carlos I's affairs in March, revelations about the murky origins of his fortune have done irreparable damage to a figure once revered for his role in Spain's transition to democracy following decades of dictatorship.

"What we've heard in recent years has been very worrying for everyone regarding the institution of the head of state," Economy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Nadia Calvino told Cadena Ser radio.

"There's no doubt we need some explanations."

The 84-year-old former monarch arrived on Thursday evening by private jet in Vigo in northwestern Spain ahead of a three-day regatta in the nearby resort of Sanxenxo, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.

His yacht, the "Bribon" -- Spanish for "rascal" -- is participating, and is the same vessel with which he and his crew won the world sailing title in 2017.

He was greeted at Vigo airport by his eldest child, Princesa Elena, who embraced him, before boarding a car which would take him to Sanxenxo.

On Monday, he travels to Madrid to visit his wife Sofia, his son King Felipe VI and other family members before leaving the same day for Abu Dhabi "where he has established his permanent residence", the palace said late Wednesday.

He has been living there since going into self-imposed exile in August 2020.

The visit reflects the former king's "desire to regularly visit his family and friends in Spain", it said, indicating such gatherings would be conducted "in a private setting".

Government Opposes Palace Sleepover

According to Spanish media, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government strongly opposed any suggestion he be allowed to stay overnight at the royal residence, Zarzuela Palace.

The hard-line left-wing Podemos, Sanchez's junior coalition partner, expressed outrage over his visit.

"Anyone returning to our country with a record like that of king Juan Carlos I would be arrested as soon as they crossed the border and prosecuted," it tweeted.

After nearly 40 years on the throne, it was scandal that prompted Juan Carlos's fall from grace, forcing him first to abdicate in 2014 and then to flee to the United Arab Emirates, dogged by allegations of financial corruption.

In announcing his departure in 2020, the former monarch said he was leaving due to "the public repercussions that certain past events in my private life are generating", expressing hope Felipe could carry out his royal duties with the necessary "tranquillity and calm".

Some 18 months later, Spanish prosecutors shelved their investigations into his finances, concluding they did "not allow for any criminal action to be brought" against him.

They cited various reasons, including a "lack of incriminating evidence, the statute of limitations, the inviolability of the head of state and tax regularisation" payments he made in recent years.

Although they confirmed identifying "sums defrauded from the Treasury" between 2008 and 2012, they said the tax authorities had managed to recover more than five million euros, "an amount corresponding to the tax dues owed".

Since leaving, Juan Carlos has twice settled tax debts on undeclared income for over five million euros in what was widely seen as a bid to avoid being charged with a crime.

Legally Fine, Ethically Questionable

"There is no longer any legal or judicial reason to stop the king emeritus from travelling to Spain but there are a wealth of ethical grounds that explain the commotion this has caused," an El Pais editorial said Thursday.

In a bid to try and restore the image of the monarchy, Felipe VI -- who took over as king in 2014 -- has sought to distance himself from his scandal-hit father.

In March 2020, Felipe ended his father's annual palace allowance, worth a reported 200,000 euros ($210,000), and renounced his own claim on what he would have inherited from the king emeritus.

Last month, he took steps with the government to increase the transparency of the monarchy with the publication of a decree requiring the palace publish its budget and make tenders public.

It also means the royal accounts will be audited, that senior palace officials must declare their personal wealth on taking up and leaving a post, and that gifts given to royals will be catalogued.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Hungary Ranked Among the World’s Safest Travel Destinations for 2025
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Man Convicted of Fraud After Booking Over 120 Free Flights Posing as Flight Attendant
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Beata Thunberg Rebrands as Beata Ernman Amidst Sister's Activism Controversy
Hungarian Parliament Approves Citizenship Suspension Law
Prime Minister Orbán Criticizes EU's Ukraine Accession Plans
Hungarian Delicacies Introduced to Japanese Market
Hungary's Industrial Output Rises Amid Battery Sector Slump
President Sulyok Celebrates 15 Years of Hungarian Unity Efforts
Hungary's Szeleczki Shines at World Judo Championships
Visegrád Construction Trends Diverge as Hungary Lags
Hungary Hosts National Quantum Technology Workshop
Hungarian Animation Featured at Annecy Festival
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
UK and EU Reach New Economic Agreement
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
UK and EU Reach Agreement on Gibraltar's Schengen Integration
Israeli Finance Minister Imposes Banking Penalties on Palestinians
U.S. Inflation Rises to 2.4% in May Amid Trade Tensions
Trump's Policies Prompt Decline in Chinese Student Enrollment in U.S.
Global Oceans Near Record Temperatures as CO₂ Levels Climb
Trump Announces U.S.-China Trade Deal Covering Rare Earths
Smuggled U.S. Fuel Funds Mexican Cartels Amid Crackdown
Austrian School Shooting Leaves Nine Dead in Graz
Bezos's Lavish Venice Wedding Sparks Local Protests
Europe Prepares for Historic Lunar Rover Landing
Italian Parents Seek Therapy Amid Lengthy School Holidays
British Fishing Vessel Seized by France Fined €30,000
Dutch Government Collapses Amid Migration Policy Dispute
UK Commits to 3.5% GDP Defence Spending Under NATO Pressure
Germany Moves to Expedite Migrant Deportations
US Urges UK to Raise Defence Spending to 5% of GDP
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Low Turnout Jeopardizes Italy's Citizenship Reform Referendum
Transatlantic Interest Rate Divergence Widens as Trump Pressures Powell
EU Lawmaker Calls for Broader Exemptions in Supply Chain Legislation
France's Defense Spending Plans Threatened by High National Debt
European Small-Cap Stocks Outperform U.S. Rivals Amid Growth Revival
Switzerland Proposes $26 Billion Capital Increase for UBS
×