NAN-F-32
Parliament
Madrid, Nov. 17, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Spanish King Felipe VI was the target of series of protests
launched by left-wing members of Spain’s parliament during the opening ceremonies for the newly elected parliament on Thursday.
Members of the Unidos Podemos (United We Can) movement took advantage of Felipe’s speech to show their disregard for the monarchy.
They held up a flag calling for a “Third Republic,” which many left-wingers would like to see replace the current constitutional monarchy.
The bloc’s 71 members they make up the legislature’s third-largest party made a point of not applauding during his speech and stayed seated during the playing of the national anthem.
Several representatives of regional parties joined the anthem protest.
Yet others wore T-shirts with the inscription “I didn’t vote for any king,” making sure they could be seen by members of the royal family.
Podemos members had earlier skipped a ceremony welcoming the king, as well as a military parade that closed out the opening.
“Some people are heads of state because they are the son, grandson or great-grandson of a dynasty.
With all due respect, we have more legitimacy because we were elected by the people,” Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias said. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/HA
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu