Spain's King asks for "ethics and morals" on accession anniversary

King Felipe VI of Spain celebrated the first anniversary of his coronation on Friday with a speech stressing the need for "ethics and morals" in public life.

Speaking at an event in the Royal Palace in Madrid which saw him decorate 38 people who had shown solidarity in carrying out their civic duties, Felipe explained how he believes the Spanish people and those in public life should behave.

"Spain is not only built on the defense and the respect of our constitutional values, but also from the affirmation of ethical and moral principles which inspire our conduct and with a range of civic values which together guide our democracy and strengthen our national concord," said the King.

Felipe's first anniversary as King comes just a week after he removed the titles of Duchess and Duke of Palma (Mallorca) from his younger sister Cristiana and her husband Inaki Urgangarin as a result of the charges they face related to the Noos corruption scandal.

It also comes a day after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy admitted that corruption scandals involving the ruling Popular Party had been partly responsible for the PP's poor showing in the May 24 local and regional elections in Spain.

Meanwhile a poll published in the El Pais newspaper showed that Felipe's ascension to the throne has given a much needed boost to the image of the Spanish Monarchy.

The poll shows that 81 percent of Spaniards approves of how Felipe has carried out his duties with that support crossing all of the boundaries of the political spectrum.

While it is perhaps no surprise that 98 percent of those who declare themselves votes of the right wing PP, support Felipe, 64 percent of voters for the left wing Podemos party are also positive of his conduct during a difficult first year as Monarch. Endit