Felipe VI has called in his Christmas Eve speech to Spaniards "to continue to be careful" and to "act with the greatest individual and collective responsibility" in the face of the sixth wave of the covid, which causes an unprecedented escalation of infections in Spain and Europe , although so far the collapse of hospitals that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic has been avoided. In front of those who transfer responsibility to citizens, the King has stressed that everyone must "do everything possible not to take steps back in this health crisis that has caused so much suffering." He has had a memory for those who died from the disease and has given his "immense thanks" to the health personnel, to whom he has transmitted encouragement and support at this time.
In his traditional Christmas message, the eighth of his reign and the second since Juan Carlos I expatriated in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Felipe VI has not alluded to the situation of his father, whose return to Spain has been speculated in the last weeks.
But he stressed that the heads of State institutions must not only "respect and comply with the laws", but also "be an example of public and moral integrity."
Last year, when the King Emeritus had left Spain a few months ago, he was much more explicit in recalling that moral and ethical principles "are above any consideration, even personal or family ones."
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The King began his speech by reminding the residents of the island of La Palma who, since last September 19, have suffered the effects of the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano. "Today our hearts and our thoughts are still with you," he said, addressing them directly. "We feel very close and you know that you have our solidarity and that you count on the work and commitment of all administrations, so that you can rebuild your lives, your economy as soon as possible, and thus redo your projects with enthusiasm", he added, trying to comfort those who have lost their home or their livelihood.
Most of his speech, lasting twelve and a half minutes, has been dedicated to the coronavirus pandemic, which is now completing its second year. Felipe VI has congratulated himself - "with all the necessary prudence" - of the progress in the fight against the disease, thanks to the "high number of Spaniards who have been vaccinated", a fact that he has considered a cause of special pride. However, he urged not to lower our guard, because "the virus still has the capacity" to do damage, "it is transmitted again very quickly" and "the risk has not disappeared." "We must continue to be careful, protect ourselves and act with the greatest responsibility, individually and collectively," he added.
No less serious are the economic, social "and also emotional" consequences left by the pandemic. Trying to navigate between the triumphalism of the Government and the catastrophism of the opposition, he has offered a bittersweet panorama of the economic situation. Although the "economy has grown again and has recovered the vast majority of jobs that had been temporarily suspended, and the number of employed is evolving at a really positive rate," the number of people in vulnerable situations has increased and there is concern In many households the rise in prices, the cost of energy or the difficulty in finding a stable job, especially in the case of young people, has underlined.
Faced with a panorama "full of uncertainties and contrasts", the King has asked to flee from pessimism and conformism, "to take the initiative and try to stay ahead of events";
adapting to changes and "always having clear objectives and priorities as a country."
Among these, he mentioned "an advanced society in economic and social terms, with stable and decent employment";
"A solid welfare state";
“A society that continues to promote equality between men and women, that favors individual and social progress;
and that it "be at the forefront of innovation", "be at the forefront of the fight against climate change and fully committed to sustainability [...] and environmental balance".
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The King's Christmas Speech
The
Next Generation
funds
from the EU, of which Spain must receive 140,000 million, constitute "a unique opportunity" that cannot be "wasted", he warned. It is about using them to modernize the Spanish economy and make it “increasingly digital, greener and more inclusive”. The crossroads Spain faces is a "historic opportunity." It depends on it "whether we can continue to progress alongside the most advanced nations or lose step."
The most political part of the speech has been the one dedicated to remembering the responsibility of the institutions when carrying out their task.
“We must be in the place that constitutionally corresponds to us;
assume, each one, the obligations that we have entrusted;
respect and comply with the laws and be an example of public and moral integrity ”, he stated.
In times of acute political polarization, the Head of State has reminded the parties that “understanding and collaboration are necessary attitudes that dignify the institutions;
even more, they strengthen them, because they generate the confidence of the citizens ”.
"Differences of opinion," he stressed, "should not prevent consensus that guarantees greater stability" and provide well-being and tranquility to society.
The King stressed that the key to the success of the Transition were the agreements, the result of the "generosity, responsibility and vision of the future" of the political forces of the time.
And he recalled that the Constitution "calls for unity in the face of division, respect in the face of resentment, the spirit of integration in the face of exclusion."
As a "main beam that has sustained democratic coexistence" for four decades, "in the face of serious and serious crises of different nature, it deserves respect, recognition and loyalty," he stressed.
