King Felipe VI warns against extremism: "The consequences are disastrous"

Madrid"Coexistence" has been the central theme of King Felipe VI's traditional Christmas Eve message. Specifically, he emphasized the "fragility" with which it can break down: "Coexistence is not an imperishable legacy. It is not enough to have received it: it is a fragile structure." To prevent this from happening, society needs "trust," argued Felipe VI, who not only acknowledged its current shortcomings but also pointed the finger at those who exploit it. "In this turbulent world, where multilateralism and the world order are in crisis, societies are experiencing—we are experiencing—a disturbing crisis of trust. And this reality seriously affects the morale of citizens and the credibility of institutions [...] Extremism, radicalism, and populism thrive on this lack of trust, on misinformation, on the future," the King warned.

This year's speech comes at a time when the far right is gradually staining the world map, and Spain is no exception. The latest example is the regional elections in Extremadura last Sunday, in which Vox's results soared. But it's not just a matter of presence in public institutions; their rhetoric is spreading like wildfire and leading to episodes marked by hatred, disturbances, and violence, especially towards migrants and impoverished people, as was seen in Torre Pacheco, Murcia, this summer by the people of Badalona. Xavier García Albiol (PP)

"It is not enough to simply remember that we have already been here, that we already know this chapter of history and that it had disastrous consequences," said Felipe VI, implicitly referring to the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, whom his father, Juan Carlos I, has not hesitated to defend, taking advantage of the publication of his memoirs: "I have never let him [let me be emeritus]." "It is up to all of us to preserve trust in our democratic coexistence. Let us ask ourselves, without looking at anyone, without seeking to blame others: what can each of us do to strengthen this coexistence? What red lines must we not cross?" Felipe VI posed. In this regard, the monarch appealed to dialogue, responsibility, and commitment "from everyone"; also to respecting language and listening to the opinions of others; to the "special exemplary conduct" of public authorities; to empathy; and to the need to place "the dignity of the human being, especially the most vulnerable, at the center of all discourse and policy."

50 years of monarchy

The Christmas address also made reference to the anniversaries of 2025: from the 50th anniversary of the Spanish monarchy to the 40th anniversary of Spain joining the European Communities (now the European Union). For example, the speech was broadcast from the Hall of Columns in the Royal Palace, where the accession treaty was signed—for the first time in history, the monarch chose to speak standing up for a while, rather than just seated. Regarding the Transition, the King praised "the collective exercise of responsibility" it entailed and the "coexistence" that was achieved: "Those who came before us were able to build it, even in difficult circumstances, such as those of 50 years ago." He also spoke highly of the person who "guided" that process—referring to his father, Juan Carlos I, although he did not mention him by name—so that afterwards "the Spanish people could be the true protagonists of their future and fully assume their sovereign power." And she recalled the 1978 Constitution: "A fairly broad framework for all of us to fit in, for all our diversity," she argued.