Spanish King condemns corruption

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 24, in a televised speech on Christmas, the King of Spain declared that corruption “must be nipped in the bud”. This statement was made just 2 days after Princess Cristina of Spain was summoned to court for tax fraud.

King Felipe VI in his first Christmas speech since ascending the throne six months ago. Photo: AP/Angel Diaz

“The fight against corruption is an imperative,” King Felipe VI said in his Christmas speech on Wednesday. This was his first Christmas speech since he ascended the throne six months ago. The speech came amid widespread “anger and disappointment” among Spaniards about the Spanish royal family, especially after the tax evasion scandal involving King Felipe VI’s sister, Princess Cristina.

“Although there are few cases of corruption, we all agree that it must be nipped in the bud and dealt with decisively,” King Felipe VI stressed. However, the 46-year-old king’s speech did not mention his sister’s situation.

Princess Cristina de Bourbon and her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, were summoned to court on Monday after prosecutors launched a four-year investigation into alleged embezzlement by Urdangarin’s non-profit Noos.

In June, after ascending the throne, King Felipe VI pledged to govern the country with “honesty and transparency”. However, the good image of the Bourbon monarchy built since the 18th century seems to be gradually tarnished in the eyes of the Spanish people. Especially in 2012, while Spain was struggling with the financial crisis, King Juan Carlos participated in a lavish elephant hunt in Botswana.

Chu Thanh

According to LeMonde December 24