Spain's king abdicates for his more popular son

Spain's King Juan Carlos signs a document in the Zarzuela Palace opening the way for his abdication. Spain's King Juan Carlos plans to abdicate and pave the way for his son, Crown Prince Felipe, to take over, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told the country Monday in an announcement broadcast nationwide.
Spain's King Juan Carlos signs a document in the Zarzuela Palace opening the way for his abdication. Spain's King Juan Carlos plans to abdicate and pave the way for his son, Crown Prince Felipe, to take over, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told the country Monday in an announcement broadcast nationwide.

MADRID (AP) - King Juan Carlos, who led Spain's transition from dictatorship to democracy but faced damaging scandals amid the nation's financial meltdown, announced Monday he will abdicate in favor of his more popular son so that fresh royal blood can rally the nation.

While the monarchy is largely symbolic, Juan Carlos' surprise decision may hold implications for the burning issue of Catalonia, which is to hold a secession referendum this fall.

A constitutional revision is required to ensure Crown Prince Felipe's first-born daughter will succeed him, and there was speculation other changes might be made to dull secessionist fervor in the wealthy northeastern region.

Juan Carlos said 46-year-old Felipe is ready to be king and will "open a new era of hope." The son already has greater command over the hearts of his people: Felipe's 70 percent approval in a recent El Mundo newspaper poll dwarfs Juan Carlos' 41 percent.

Juan Carlos didn't mention the scandals or Catalonia, or specify what issues his son must prioritize as the next head of state. He stressed only that Felipe will need to "undertake the transformations and reforms demanded by today's circumstances and to address the challenges of tomorrow with renewed intensity and dedication."

In his nationwide address, the king said he started making plans to give up the throne after he turned 76 in January.

Since then, Spain has embarked on a sluggish but steady economic recovery. Its biggest problems are a 25 percent unemployment rate and Catalonia's drive to hold a secession vote in November - labeled illegal by the central government in Madrid.

Spain is expected to change its constitution to ensure Felipe's daughter, Leonor, can succeed him, should Felipe's wife get pregnant again and give birth to a boy, who would become monarch under the current constitution.

"Send the Bourbons to the sharks!" in Madrid.

On the throne for 39 years, Juan Carlos was a hero to many for shepherding Spain's democratic and economic transformation.

His popularity took a big blow following royal scandals, including a 2012 elephant hunting trip at the height of Spain's financial crisis when he broke his right hip and had to be flown from Botswana home aboard a private jet for medical treatment.

The king's image was also tarnished by the investigation of his son-in-law Inaki Urdangarin on suspicion of embezzling large amounts in public contracts.