King Juan Carlos of Spain has announced his intention to abdicate, after nearly 40 years on the throne.
"A new generation must be at the forefront... younger people with new energies," the 76-year-old king said in a televised address.
His son, Crown Prince Felipe, 45, will take over the throne.
For much of his reign, Juan Carlos was seen as one of the world's most popular monarchs, but recently many Spaniards have lost confidence in him.
His reputation has been tarnished by a long-running corruption investigation into the business dealings of his daughter and her husband.
King Juan Carlos, 76, has had health problems in recent years
Support for the king fell further when it was discovered he had been on a lavish elephant hunting trip to Botswana in April 2012, in the middle of Spain's financial crisis.
The first announcement about the abdication came from Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who told reporters: "His Majesty King Juan Carlos has just informed me of his desire to renounce the throne and begin the process of succession."
Later, the king himself said in a televised address that it was time for a "new era" in which a new generation could take on the transformations and reforms required.
He said his son, Prince Felipe, had the maturity and preparation to be king.
Left-wing groups have called for protests in support of a referendum on the future of the monarchy, with the El Pais newspaper quoting police as saying some 20,000 people have gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square.
Several thousand people were also reported to have gathered in the Barcelona in the Placa Catalunya square, some carrying large Catalan flags.culled
*Abdicate or not,he is stepping down at the right time,before them go disgrace am..#respect!
76 Years old?
ReplyDeleteIt was about time.
And the Queen of England is still there at 80+ and later they will say african leaders re drunk with power at old age. Queen step down for charles na you don try ontop throne. Mee want to start Say "God save the King".
ReplyDeleteSeriously 80+, where do u live? Oversabi things
DeleteYes o,respect...if na naija dem go die follow d throne o. Abdikate kor abdimiddleton ni,dem nor dey abdianything.... Nice one king juan carlos
ReplyDeleteMaximum respect for him to abdicate prior to further disgrace and commotions.
ReplyDeleteSadly, this kind of act is not obtainable in Nigeria, even our president want to "die there" despite the level of untold sufferings we are going through.
Yes o,respect...if na naija dem go die follow d throne o. Abdikate kor abdimiddleton ni,dem nor dey abdianything.... Nice one king juan carlos
ReplyDeleteI'm still lookin forward to this in naija.
ReplyDeleteWhen a president,governor,senator,king,etc will decide it's time to step down for a new era
#Igowaittire
Thank God he recognises he is old and needs to retire for younger generations….. I wish our old politicians can also do the same, greedy set of individuals…..
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***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***
Father Lord,I release the Spirit of stepping down into the Nigerian Politicalsphere. Go,go,gooooooooooooooooooo
ReplyDeleteSame goes 2 Robert Mugabe and other selfish African leaders esp our so called Nigerian old politicians like Buhari, Tinubu and co that still wanna lead us @ 70, 80 years. Pls whn would they ever hv their fill and allow d youths take their rightful place is Nigeria?
ReplyDeleteThey've been telling us dt we R d leaders of 2mao since we were young, but now were R matured and they R still fighting tooth and nails for leadership position. Pls whn is our time gonna come?
#Enuff is Enuff
*lips sealed and watching*
Chai, this kind of thing can't happen here o......people would rather die in power........
ReplyDeleteThey are lucky it elephnt hunting dia own dey go, me still never know wetin our own corrupt leaders dey use our money do. 9ce move by him.
ReplyDeletedont really like monarchy style of govt,not sure if this is an absolute monarchy. it is good he stepped down now before the monarchy crumbles totally
ReplyDeleteHe is welcome to a political appointment in Nig,age is just a number down here Sir. EVE E UME
ReplyDeleteLolll. Na u get ur mouth o
DeleteTo me it is time all this monarchy rubbish stops! How can one family own every thing. From the day they are born they are billionaires! that is so unfair!
ReplyDeleteAnd olu badan is well over 90years.Ibadan afo ba je needs to review their mode of picking their obas not crowning a decorative king at 85years and above,am sure they are not expecting much contribution from such king for the community development.
ReplyDeleteNice move. Naija dey copy every every, but we no the gree copy dis kin tin. God saves naija!
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