Spanish governments have only had thirty-nine years to prepare for a royal succession or abdication, so it is hardly surprising that the government now needs to pass fast-track legislation covering every aspect of the handover.
Felipe VI will be crowned the new King of Spain on June 18th in Congress, King Juan Carlos remaining king ‘to all effects and purposes’ until that date as there is no provision for a transitional period.
The new law is due to come into effect on the date of the coronation. One item not covered under the new law will be the legal status of the outgoing monarch as he will no longer have immunity from the courts, a privilege only available to the head of state.
Letizia, wife of Felipe, will become an aforada, which means she can only be tried by the Supreme Court, not by the lower courts.
King Juan Carlos apparently took the decision to abdicate on January 5th 2014, his 76th birthday. He informed his family shortly thereafter and made his decision known to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on March 31st 2014.