Spaniards hold anti-monarchy protest

Thousands of Spaniards have staged a large protest rally in Madrid, calling for the abdication of the country’s scandal-stricken monarchy.

Spanish protesters on Sunday took to the streets in the capital, Madrid, chanting slogans such as “Tomorrow, Spain Will Be Republican,” and waving thousands of red, gold and purple Republican flags.
The demonstration was organized to commemorate the country’s Second Republic, which was established on April 14, 1931, and was followed by 40 years of dictatorship under General Francisco Franco after a 1936-39 civil war.
The image of Spain’s royal family has been tainted with a number of scandals, leading to a noticeable drop in public confidence in the monarchy.
According to a survey published by the Spanish newspaper El Pais on April 3, 53 percent of the Spaniards disapprove of the way Carlos is carrying out his functions.
Spain’s economy collapsed into recession in the second half of 2008, which has taken with it millions of jobs.