Are the Spaniards satisfied with the work done by their King Felipe VI? On the occasion of his ten years of reign, this June 19, 2024, it is time to take stock. And, according to the recent survey commissioned by our colleagues at Vanitatisthe 56-year-old sovereign would have indeed fulfilled the contract.
In his office, he looks towards the horizon. Sitting on the edge of a table, he has his eyes glued to his phone. We also discover him standing, immersed in reading his papers. His face still serious, Felipe VI strikes a pose during a series of unique photos at the Zarzuela Palace to celebrate his accession to the throne. Indeed, on June 19, 2014, he officially succeeded King Juan Carlos I. A heavy task, moreover, to take back this crown tainted by the various scandals of his father. In addition to assuming his new royal duties, he must restore the image of the monarchy and his family. Ten years later, has Felipe VI succeeded in his bet?
A king whose popularity remains stable
According to the survey conducted by the IMOP Insights institute between May 25 and June 5 for the newspaper Vanitatis, not only is the Spanish sovereign today the member of the royal family most appreciated by his fellow citizens, but he has also obtained a very good score with the Spaniards. For the first time since his enthronement, Felipe VI exceeded his usual average of 6.5 by a slight tenth. A small victory which nevertheless hides more disappointing figures. Only 46.4% of Spaniards responded that they had a favorable opinion of him and his work. A drop of almost three points compared to 2021 (49.5%)!
Despite everything, its popularity remains relatively stable. “One might think that, in such a politically polarized environment, the discretion and neutrality with which the Crown acts might prevent people from taking a stand against the head of state,” explains Vanitatis. For the first ten years of his reign, Felipe VI’s monarchy lay in the background, waiting for the media storm caused by the behavior of King Juan Carlos and other members of the royal family to subside. This is probably the key to the stability of the figures.” Slowly but surely, Felipe VI is therefore consolidating his reign. His detractors, for example, have also decreased, going from 24% in 2022 to 20.9% in 2024.
Disparities by age, region and ideology
Unsurprisingly, the older the respondents get, the more they approve of the sovereign’s actions. Almost 55% of 45 to 54 year olds were convinced by his commitment and personality. Those aged 18-24, on the other hand, are much more mixed: 30% disapprove of his performance compared to only 28.6% who support him. But it is above all indifference which predominates among those under 35 since more than 41% have no opinion on the king. A feeling also shared by one in two inhabitants of the Spanish Basque Country. If almost 56% of Andalusians are pro-Felipe, the Catalans disavow him at 52.5%.
Ideology, like age and provenance, is also a key factor. The more the respondent is located to the right on the political scale, the more they will tend to support the monarch, and vice versa. Vanitatis underlines, however, that even among the left-wing parties in favor of a republic – without them being extreme – Felipe VI is approved in practically all the attributes studied by the poll. His only bad mark? His management of complex situations and his proximity to citizens. “Spain is not monarchical but is ‘felipist'”, states thus Vanitatis.
Read also >> 50 things to know about Felipe VI
Among his contributions, his desire to make the royal house more transparent seems to be the most popular. One in five people believe he has improved one of the most controversial aspects of the monarchy in the past. A success which apparently made a strong impression on his subjects. Next cited are the restoration of the prestige of the Crown (16.6%) and greater professionalism (15.5%). Enough to ensure, without much doubt, that his bet was met with flying colors!
