Let me be your ruler

13 January 2014 By Fiona Maharg-Bravo

Spain’s democracy is strong enough to question a princess on tax-evasion charges. But widespread corruption among the masses will be harder to fight if the elite is under suspicion. And the royal family loses respect just when the country most needs a stable national institution.

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Spain’s Princess Cristina, daughter of King Juan Carlos, will appear before a Palma de Mallorca court to testify over tax-fraud and money-laundering charges. She denies the charges but has decided not to appeal, her lawyers said on Jan. 11.

The case is centred on Princess Cristina’s involvement in a charitable organisation called Noos Foundation run by her husband, former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin.

Urdangarin was earlier charged with fraud, tax evasion, falsifying documents and embezzlement of 6 million euros ($8.2 million) in public funds through Noos.

In a poll published by el Mundo newspaper, less than 50 percent of Spaniards support the monarchy. Sixty two percent thought the king should abdicate in favour of his son, Prince Felipe.

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