The Spanish princess, Cristina
de Borbón was announced on Wednesday, April 3rd as a suspected
accomplice to her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, who is currently under
investigation for fraud. Mr. Urdangarin is accused of using millions in
public funds donated to his nonprofit, Instituto Nóos, to fund for-profit
companies instead. Cristina is the youngest daughter of King Juan Carlos, who
has held the monarchy for nearly four decades.
Well-liked and instrumental in moving Spain toward
democracy, Juan Carlos recently saw an unprecedented drop in the monarchy’s
popularity to below 50%. No doubt rumors of corruption within the two major
political parties as well as a prolonged recession with over 26% unemployment
rates has contributed to civil unrest.
The king has worked with Spain’s government for many years,
helping to open up markets between Spain and Saudi Arabia and performing duties
well past that of other still existing monarchies in Europe. “The king has
enormous prestige in Europe and elsewhere,” said José Manuel García-Margallo,
Spanish Foreign Minister. “He’s an asset that the government never hesitates to
use.”
Manos Limpias, a civil servants’ union, asked the judge to
name Princess Cristina as a suspect in the case. The judge will likely make a
final decision by this summer on whether or not the charges will be pressed.
Mr. Urdangarin is claiming innocence in the case.
Virginia López-Negrete is a lawyer for Manos Limpias, and
says that the announcement of the princess as a suspect will go a long way in
proving to the public that the law is the law, no matter your social standing.
“Naming the princess as a suspect… will give her the chance to explain
herself,” she said.
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