Debate Over Return of Retired King Juan Carlos I Dominates Spanish Political Scene

The issue of Juan Carlos I's return to Spain has become a new flashpoint for conflict among the main political forces. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the chairman of the People's Party, has made a personal decision to launch a campaign for the rehabilitation and return of the former monarch. Feijóo argues that Juan Carlos I was a guarantor of Spanish democracy and does not deserve to live in exile. The opposition leader sharply criticized the king's opponents, claiming they „don't come up to his ankles”. This stance finds support among some regional PP leaders, e.g., in the Balearic Islands and Galicia, where the monarch's historical merits in stopping the 1981 coup attempt are emphasized. Juan Carlos I abdicated in 2014 in favor of his son, Felipe VI, and in 2020 left Spain and settled in the United Arab Emirates amid investigations into his finances and alleged tax irregularities. The reaction of the state administration and other parties, however, is far from enthusiastic. Government representatives accuse the PP of being „lost” and trying to divert attention from current problems by provoking artificial polemics. Meanwhile, Ernest Urtasun from the left-wing coalition Sumar expressed categorical opposition to the official narrative about the king's crucial role in building democracy. Interestingly, the right-wing Vox also keeps its distance – Santiago Abascal called opening this debate a „profound mistake”. The Zarzuela Palace issued a restrained statement, indicating that the decision to return must be made by Juan Carlos I himself, although media suggest that a necessary condition is for him to regularize his tax residency in Spain. „Los que han criticado al Rey Juan Carlos no le llegan a la suela del zapato” (Those who have criticized King Juan Carlos don't come up to the sole of his shoe) — Alberto Núñez Feijóo The situation is dynamic, and media report that the retired monarch plans to appear in the country regularly, even once a month. The controversy is fueled by the government's recent decision to declassify documents related to the events of February 23, 1981, which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used to needle the opposition, reminding them of their former reluctance to disclose these files. Currently, the debate has moved to the streets, where polls and opinions of passersby show a deep divide: from respect for the king's historical role to harsh assessment of his later financial scandals. Experts indicate that Juan Carlos I's return could complicate the image situation of the residing monarch, Felipe VI, who is trying to build an image of a modern and transparent crown.