Felipe VI affirms that "the Constitution is the foundation of our democratic coexistence".
King Philip VI gave his Christmas speech dedicated to the pandemic and the harsh consequences it is causing throughout Spanish society and highlighted the enormous effort of health workers and other public employees in the fight against the virus.
The head of state said that "at a time when the pandemic and its economic and social consequences are causing so much uncertainty, our Constitution guarantees our way of understanding life, our vision of society and human beings; of their dignity, their rights and freedoms. A Constitution that we all have the duty to respect; and that, in our days, is the foundation of our social and political coexistence; and that represents, in our history, a success of and for democracy and freedom
He also underlined his commitment to the ethical and moral principles that have marked his reign from day one, which "oblige everyone without exception and are above any consideration, even personal and family ones".
FULL TEXT OF CHRISTMAS SPEECH BY KING FELIPE VI
Good night,
I address you on this Christmas Eve when we are living in truly exceptional circumstances due to the pandemic.
Many families have not been able to meet tonight as you had planned because of the health measures; and in thousands of homes there is a void impossible to fill because of the death of your loved ones, whom I now want to remember with emotion and with all respect. A memory that fills our hearts with very deep feelings. And also, at this time, many citizens are fighting against the disease or its consequences in their homes, in hospitals or in residences. To all of you I send especially today my greatest encouragement and affection.
2020 has been a very hard and difficult year. The virus has burst into our lives bringing suffering, sadness or fear; it has altered the way we live and work, and has seriously affected our economy, even paralyzing or destroying many businesses.
Many citizens and families live the anguish of unemployment or precariousness; the anguish of barely covering basic needs; or feel the sadness of having to abandon a business to which you have dedicated your life. For all these reasons it is logical and understandable that discouragement or distrust is very present in so many homes.
And yet, the response to a crisis as serious as the one we are experiencing cannot come from more discouragement or more mistrust. The situation is serious. But, even so, we have to face the future with determination and self-confidence, in what we are capable of doing together, with courage and hope; with confidence in our country and in our model of democratic coexistence.
We have reasons for this; because throughout the last decades, in the face of difficulties that are also serious, we have always been able to overcome them. And this situation that we are living is not going to be different from the others, because neither the virus nor the economic crisis are going to break us.
Regarding the health situation, it is clear that overcoming this disease will come thanks to science and research. The new treatments against the virus and the development of vaccines that are underway already offer us great hope. But in the meantime, we have a lot to do.
Individual responsibility remains essential and is an effective tool in the fight against the virus. That's why it's so important to stay preventative and not let our guard down.
We thank the health workers once again for their enormous effort, their extraordinary professionalism and their great humanity towards the sick. They faced the first attacks of the virus in extreme situations and also of overflow in some of our hospitals. Today they continue to face this struggle with a great emotional and physical burden on their shoulders. We ask you to keep up your courage and strength and continue to take care of our health.
The other great problem and challenge is the economic crisis and to avoid, above all, that it derives in a social crisis. Every person matters and a lot. Therefore, individuals and families must be our primary concern. Especially our young people; their level of unemployment is very high, and they cannot be the losers of this situation. Our youth deserve to have the most adequate training, to grow personally and professionally, and to be able to carry out their projects. Spain cannot afford a lost generation.
Protecting the most vulnerable and fighting against the inequalities that the pandemic has created or aggravated is a question of dignity among those of us who form the same political community. But it will also be essential to recover our economy.
And to do so, it is crucial to strengthen the business and productive, industrial and service sectors. Recognition and support for our businesses, protection for our self-employed and businesspeople, who have been so badly hit in recent months, will be essential to create jobs, the jobs that our country needs so much. We need, therefore, to consolidate the foundations that will give us a clear horizon of drive, stability and economic confidence, which will encourage investment and job creation.
The health, economic and social challenges we face are, therefore, great... enormous, but not insurmountable. Overcoming them constitutes a great national objective that should unite us all; that, as citizens, commits and obliges us all; with ourselves, with others and with our country.
And this requires a great collective effort, a great effort in which each one continues to give the best of himself according to his responsibilities and to the extent of his abilities.
For this great national effort, we count first and foremost on what is most important: on people; on the example of thousands of citizens who have put their work at the service of others, who have lived these last months with abnegation, commitment and great generosity. People who stimulate our spirit of self-improvement and of whom we should feel justly proud.
The Queen and I have personally experienced all this during this time. In the countryside and at sea; in the towns and cities; in the markets, in the factories we have seen the courage and nerve of this country. We have felt the pulse of our society which, in spite of everything, has kept Spain on its feet.
We both have in our memory the living image of those thousands of citizens who represent a society that has felt more united than ever in its struggle and resistance in the face of such an adverse situation; a society that has organizations that show solidarity and are effective so that no one feels alone or helpless; a society that has endured these difficult months with fortitude, responsibility and serenity.
We have, therefore, a strong society and also a solid State. During all this time, both public and basic services, as well as companies in essential sectors have worked well, trying to put all the means at their disposal. The pandemic has revealed to us aspects that need to be improved and strengthened, but it also shows us our strengths as an advanced State. We have seen this, for example, with the efficiency and dedication of our Armed Forces, our Security Forces, Civil Protection and Emergency Services, and many other public servants, who have demonstrated their vocation for service and their full harmony with our society.
And Europe is also very important in facing this crisis. We count on the European Union, which has made a firm commitment to sustainability and economic recovery in the face of this pandemic. The Union offers us a historic opportunity to progress and advance; it opens a new era for Spain to join in a common project to modernize our economy; to adapt our productive structures to the new industrial, technological and environmental revolution we are experiencing. And to establish with ambition and cohesion our collective role as members of the EU before the world.
And above all, we can count on our system of democratic coexistence. At a time when the pandemic and its economic and social consequences are causing so much uncertainty, our Constitution guarantees our way of understanding life, our vision of society and of human beings; of their dignity, their rights and freedoms. A Constitution that we all have the duty to respect; and that in our days, is the foundation of our social and political coexistence; and that represents, in our history, a success of and for democracy and freedom.
Let us not forget that the advances and progress achieved in democracy are the result of the reunion and pact among Spaniards after a long period of confrontations and divisions. They are the result of the desire to look to the future together, united in democratic values; united in a spirit that is always inclusive, in respect for plurality and differences, and in the ability to dialogue and reach agreements. These are principles that never lose their validity over the years.
And along with our democratic principles and compliance with the law, we also need to preserve the ethical values that are at the roots of our society.
As early as 2014, in my Proclamation before the General Courts, I referred to the moral and ethical principles that citizens demand of our conduct. Principles that bind us all without exception, and that are above any consideration, of whatever nature, including personal or family ones.
This is how I have always understood it, in coherence with my convictions, with the way I understand my responsibilities as Head of State and with the spirit of renewal that has inspired my Reign from day one.
I have always thought that Spain is an extraordinary country, with an enormous wealth and cultural diversity, built over centuries thanks to the efforts of many generations of Spaniards, and with a great history that has been, for a time, the very history of our world.
We are not a people that gives up or resigns itself in bad times. It is not going to be easy to overcome this situation, and you know that in every house. But I am sure that we will get through it. With effort, union and solidarity, Spain will move forward. With everyone and for everyone. And, as King, I will be with everyone and for everyone, not only because it is my duty and my conviction, but also because it is my commitment to all of you, to Spain.
It will not be difficult for the year 2021 to improve on this 2020. We will recover as much as possible the normality in the workplaces, in the classrooms, in the squares and in the neighborhoods; in the stores, in the markets, in the bars; in the cinemas, in the theaters...; in the daily life that shapes the character of a society like ours.
It is what we all want. And in the certainty that this will be the case, the Queen, the Princess of Asturias, Infanta Sofía and I thank you very sincerely for all the shows of affection and support you have given us this year, and we wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best for a 2021 especially full of hope.
Eguberri on. Bon Nadal and Boas festas.
Link to the video of the King's Christmas speech