Catalonia pres. calls for referendum on monarchy amid crisis in Spain's royal household
Kusai Kedri
Press TV, Barcelona
The recent departure of former Spanish King Juan Carlos into an alleged self-imposed exile continues to polarize the country and fuel bitter debates among politicians.
During an emergency parliamentary session held on Friday, Catalonia's president, Quim Torra, blamed the central government for Juan Carlos’ departure from Spain. He argued that the country now has two options to address the crisis.
Torra lashed out at the left-leaning central government in Madrid, calling for the resignation of the ministers. He said the coalition government endorsed what he called the escape of the former Spanish King. His leftist republican allies followed his lead.
Podemos has since requested King Felipe to appear before the Congress to explain the departure of his father. The socialists, however, insist on letting justice take its course.
There has been a lot of speculation over the whereabouts of the former Spanish monarch, who has allegedly received millions of euros in kickbacks from Saudi Arabia over a railway deal back in 2011.
Spanish Conservative newspaper, ABC, said on Friday that Juan Carlos boarded a private jet to Abu Dhabi.
The deepening royal crisis has the potential to destabilise the minority government of Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, when Congress convenes after summer recess. In Catalonia, however, it seems to be drawing the two main separatist blocs closer.
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