King asks for unity in state opening of Spanish Parliament

King Felipe VI made a public call for confidence in Spanish politicians and an appeal for social cohesion during his speech at the State Opening of the Spanish Parliament on Thursday.

During his 20-minute speech, the King asked for the "regeneration of public life," following a spell of over 10 months without a central government.

He stressed the need to "strengthen" the welfare state, "because, along with families, it has been a key part of social protection" during the past few years.

Speaking about the formation of the minority government led by Mariano Rajoy's People's Party, which won the recent investiture vote with the support of center-right party Ciudadanos and the abstention of the Socialist Party, the King highlighted that the political crisis had "ended with dialogue, with responsibility, and also with generosity."

"There is no doubt that the general good has been present in the solution," he said, invoking a "capacity to reach agreements" and the "general interest" as the route to "resolve the problems faced by the people."

If politicians are able to do that, he said, they will "give dignity to public life and prestige to the institutions" of government.

Felipe VI also gave a message of optimism in the face of Spain's ongoing economic recovery saying it "allows us to have serious motives to think that we will be able to get over the inequalities generated by the economic crisis." Endit