Juan Carlos I Reflects on Spanish Monarchy and Its Challenges Under Pedro Sánchez

Juan Carlos I, the former king of Spain, has expressed his perspectives on the current government led by Pedro Sánchez in a recent interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro, as reported by Efe agency. He commented on the challenging relationship between his son, King Felipe VI, and Sánchez’s administration, stating, "At this moment with the current government, things must be very difficult for my son." This observation came after Juan Carlos received an award at the French Assembly for his memoirs about Spain's transition to democracy. The former monarch acknowledged the changing landscape of Spain, albeit hesitantly questioning the direction of those changes without providing a clear answer. He remarked, "Even though I am no longer king, I have to be careful with what I say. With the slightest word..." Juan Carlos I reigned from the death of dictator Franco in 1975 until his abdication in 2014 and reflected on how his entire life was shaped by Spain's demands and the monarchy. He lamented, "I restored freedom to the Spaniards by establishing democracy, but I could never benefit from it myself." According to him, the monarchy has diminished in everyday life, noting that, during his reign, he had weekly meetings with the prime minister, whereas such occurrences have become less frequent in his son’s reign. He also pointed out that his official trips were accompanied by the foreign minister, a contrast to the present day. Despite acknowledging criticism of the monarchy in certain countries, Juan Carlos defended it as a stable form of government. He argued, "I think it is good for the people. It provides stability; you do not change kings or queens every four years. It also embodies, above all, the unity of the country. The king is above political parties, which means that he can reign alongside any party." Furthermore, he expressed his belief that his granddaughter, Leonor, the heir to the throne, should take a more prominent role, as he believes she positively represents the monarchy. Juan Carlos also defended traditional Spanish practices like bullfighting and hunting, stating, "The bullfight is like hunting; they want to ban them. But it is a national festival. No one is a prophet in their own land." On the 11th of April, 2026, Juan Carlos was honored by the National Assembly of France for his memoir titled "Reconciliation." In his speech, he acknowledged the mixed reception of his life and work, saying, "I am aware that no one is a prophet in their own land and that there will always be different opinions and judgments. My memoirs aim to serve democracy and the progress of the Spanish people." He elaborated on his pride in seeing Spain transform positively during his reign, emphasizing his commitment to democracy, respect for human rights, and societal progress. With a blend of pride and introspection, he stated, "The present does not overwhelm me, although it can sometimes sadden me. I have always been clear that democracy, respect for human rights, and the progress of Spanish society were the goals for which I wanted to work." Juan Carlos aimed to showcase his reign’s achievements and setbacks through his memoirs, ultimately hoping to communicate his perspective on the mistakes he believes he did not make. "I hope I have succeeded," he concluded. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2