Government reveals plan to change royal succession law 05/05/2008 00:00

Constitutional reforms aim to grant women in the royal family with equal rights as the men when acceding to the Spanish throne.

5 May 2008

SPAIN - The government is planning to revive a proposal to amend the Constitution in order to ensure women can take the Spanish throne with the same rights as men and to turn the Senate into a chamber of regional representation.

The proposal, which formed part of Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's first election campaign in 2004, was quietly shelved during the past legislature due to the impossibility of reaching an agreement with the main opposition Popular Party.

However, in the wake of Zapatero's re-election on 9 March, the PP has shown a greater willingness to work with the government on some issues.

The government sees both amendments as urgent.

One would override the pre-eminence of male royals in acceding to the throne over their female siblings. It is important because Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia have so far had two daughters, but were they to have a son, the current wording of the Constitution would make the boy next in line in spite of having two older sisters.

The other amendment would consist of a long-overdue reform of the Senate, turning the upper house into a chamber of direct representation for Spain's 17 autonomous regions. The PP's support is essential for either amendment to be approved.

[El Pais / Expatica]