21.12.11 - 21:51 -
Royal lunch. The King and Zapatero share a toast at the farewell lunch last Tuesday. Casa real
Last Tuesday Spain's new and repeating members of Congreso got together for the first time for the constitution of Parliament. The main political parties devoted much of the day's speeches to expressing their support for King Juan Carlos and the monarchy, at this difficult time, referring to the investigation into the business affairs of Iñaki Urdangarin. Prolonged applause in support of the King was seconded by the Partido Popular and the PSOE and ignored by the nationalist groups.
Later, at a farewell lunch offered by the King at the Royal Palace for the outgoing government, acting Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, used his speech to stress how the monarch is an essential figure for Spain's democracy and international prestige.
