After King Felipe VI delivered his traditional Christmas message, political reactions varied widely, illustrating the polarized sentiments surrounding the monarchy's role.
Prominent figures from the conservative Popular Party (PP) and the Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) praised the King's address. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, president of the PP, lauded the King's recognition of Spanish solidarity and his advocacy for the common good, asserting, "I celebrate the King's speech. His acknowledgment of the solidarity of the Spanish people, his promotion of the common good as the guiding principle of politics, and his defense of the Constitution herald another exemplary year for the parliamentary monarchy serving Spaniards."
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, echoed these sentiments, remarking on the King's call for public institutions to coordinate for the common good. She emphasized the importance of the 1978 Constitution, stating, "Our great reference in Spain is the Constitution of 1978, both its letter and its principles." She highlighted the necessity of seeking consensus around fundamental matters and respecting human dignity.
Support for the King's message was also voiced by Cuca Gamarra, the number two of the PP, who commended the King's emphasis on the common good as articulated by the Head of State. Gamarra noted, "Given the denial of the shared space constructed through the efforts of generations of Spaniards, we must respond with calm and institutional trust to safeguard it. Long live the King!" The official PSOE account expressed alignment with the King, stating, "Felipe VI understands political life must be marked by serenity. We couldn’t agree more. Consensus must be the path to dedicative efforts to the welfare of Spanish citizens."
Conversely, parties aligned with the left, often referred to as the 'Frankenstein bloc,' expressed dissatisfaction with the monarchy. They rejected what they viewed as a right-leaning tone of the King's message. Verónica Martínez Barbero, spokesperson for Sumar, labeled the address as "disappointing" and accused the monarchy of neglecting pressing issues such as the climate crisis and women's rights. She criticized the King for supposedly blaming politics for the impacts of flooding and lamented his portrayal as "neutral arbiter" without addressing social crises.
Gabriel Rufián, spokesperson for Esquerra Republicana (ERC), tweeted pointed responses to the King's address, highlighting issues like housing. Ione Belarra, leader of Podemos, took to social media to express her wish for the year-end speeches to be delivered by the president of the republic instead. She remarked, "This King is nothing more than the dreary project of the Spanish right. How tiresome!"
Jon İnari, of Bildu, made his frustration clear on social media, denouncing the King's focus as neglecting the scandals surrounding the royal family. He expressed skepticism about the utility of the monarchy, questioning, "What purpose does a king serve?" Meanwhile, Jordi Turull, president of Junts, openly stated he found the address irrelevant, asserting he did not watch it because the King had failed to apologize for actions taken on October 3, 2017, during the Catalonia crisis.
Overall, the responses to King Felipe VI's Christmas address reflect the continuing debates over the monarchy's relevance and the broader political discontent within Spain, highlighting the diverse perspectives present within its political fabric.
