Madrid Times

España Viva: Your Window to Madrid and Beyond
Thursday, Sep 18, 2025

King Felipe VI Urges Respect for Separation of Powers and Accountability

King Felipe VI Urges Respect for Separation of Powers and Accountability

In a bid to defend democratic values, the Spanish monarch calls for transparency and daily commitment from authorities and citizens alike, amid legislative debates.
In an address emphasizing the importance of democracy, King Felipe VI of Spain has called for the continuous defense of democratic values, urging both authorities and citizens to respect the separation of powers, transparency, and accountability.

Speaking at the closing session of the Ninth Ambassadors' Conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which saw participation from 130 ambassadors as well as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, King Felipe highlighted the ongoing need to uphold democratic norms.

The King's intervention comes at a time of political contention, with the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) proposing legislative changes that have sparked debate.

Last week, the PSOE put forward an Organic Law Proposal aimed at safeguarding fundamental rights against judicial harassment, informally dubbed the 'Begoña Law' by the opposition People's Party (PP).

Against this backdrop, King Felipe asserted that democracy is not merely a one-time achievement but a daily responsibility requiring diligence and balance between tolerance, pluralism, and rule of law.

Describing Spain as an open-minded and dynamic nation, King Felipe emphasized the country's pride in its history, advocating for a fair representation internationally.

He encouraged ambassadors worldwide to project a clear and reliable image of Spain, underscoring the commitment to European integration and a rules-based international order.

The King also acknowledged evolving global challenges, including security threats, climate change, misinformation, and even the questioning of democracy itself.

Addressing ambassadors, King Felipe reiterated that global challenges necessitate collective solutions, aligning with Prime Minister Sánchez's earlier positions.

He stressed the importance of adapting to rapid historical changes, such as the rise of non-state actors and the growing influence of social media on public opinion.

Furthermore, King Felipe called attention to shifts in global priorities, including the need for regulatory frameworks in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Despite the potential benefits of technological advancements, he warned of the associated risks that require cautious management.

In preparing for a new political era with the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States, King Felipe advocated for reinforcing relations with Washington on a foundation of shared prosperity and security goals.

He highlighted Spain’s potential to contribute unique historical and cultural perspectives to hemispheric relations.

Turning to Latin America, the King spoke of the historical bonds between Spain, Europe, and the region, framing this as a strategic opportunity for future collaboration.

Additionally, he emphasized the importance of maintaining amicable and cooperative ties with Morocco, citing the ongoing spirit of neighborhood relations.

King Felipe's comments reflect a broader call to action for Spain's diplomatic corps and underscore the nation’s commitment to its democratic principles in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Federal Reserve Cuts Rates by Quarter Point and Signals More to Come
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Assassin Tyler Robinson Faces Death Penalty as Charges Formally Announced
Actor, director, environmentalist Robert Redford dies at 89
The conservative right spreads westward: a huge achievement for 'Alternative for Germany' in local elections
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
Elon Musk Retakes Lead as World’s Richest After Brief Ellison Surge
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
Trump Threatens Retaliatory Tariffs After EU Imposes €2.95 Billion Fine on Google
Tesla Board Proposes Unprecedented One-Trillion-Dollar Performance Package for Elon Musk
Gold Could Reach Nearly $5,000 if Fed Independence Is Undermined, Goldman Sachs Warns
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay Secure Places at 2026 World Cup
Trump Administration Advances Plans to Rebrand Pentagon as Department of War Instead of the Fake Term Department of Defense
Big Tech Executives Laud Trump at White House Dinner, Unveil Massive U.S. Investments
Tether Expands into Gold Sector with Profit-Driven Diversification
Florida’s Vaccine Revolution: DeSantis Declares War on Mandates
Trump’s New War – and the ‘Drug Tyrant’ Fearing Invasion: ‘1,200 Missiles Aimed at Us’
"The Situation Has Never Been This Bad": The Fall of PepsiCo
At the Parade in China: Laser Weapons, 'Eagle Strike,' and a Missile Capable of 'Striking Anywhere in the World'
The Fashion Designer Who Became an Italian Symbol: Giorgio Armani Has Died at 91
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
×