SPAIN’S ‘DEMOCRACY KING’ FLEES
Facing investigation at home and abroad for corruption
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MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Juan Carlos I led Spain to democracy and foiled a military coup, but he heads into exile under a cloud of royal corruption that has ruined his legacy.
He abdicated in 2014 after playing a determining role in Spain’s modern history, stepping up as the first crowned head of state in 44 years after the death of General Francisco Franco.
He took the throne within days of Franco’s death in November 1975, having been named successor by the dictator himself, who passed over Juan Carlos’s father, Juan de Borbon.
“Faithful to the political desire of my father... I wanted to be king for all Spaniards,” Juan Carlos said in his abdication address, recalling the day of his proclamation.
He was popular for decades, however, on Monday the former head state admitted to his son King Felipe VI it was better he left the country.
“Guided by the conviction to best serve the people of Spain, its institutions, and you as king, I inform you of my decision at this time to go into exile outside Spain,”
Juan Carlos wrote.
Facing investigation at home and abroad for corruption, he had become an embarrassment to the throne and the government.
Felipe had accepted the decision, the royal palace said, following a Supreme Court decision in June to open an investigation.
Suspicion focuses on $100 million (85 million euros) alleged to have been paid secretly into a Swiss bank account in 2008 by Saudi Arabia.
Felipe has tried to distance himself from the allegations of a huge hidden fortune, withdrawing his father’s annual royal allowance and renouncing his inheritance.