Pandemic and economic crisis focused the Christmas message of the King of Spain

USPA NEWS - The pandemic that continues to plague Spain and the consequent economic crisis focused on Thursday the Christmas message of King Felipe VI. “Many of you were not able to gather tonight as you would have liked because of the healthcare restrictions, and in thousands of homes there is an empty place that can never be filled due to the loved ones who have been lost, whom I want to remember now with sadness and respect,“ said the King. 2020, remember Felipe VI, “has been a tough and difficult year. The virus swept over our lives, bringing suffering, grief and fear; it changed how we live and work, and has seriously affected our economy, closing down or even destroying many companies.“

“Many people and families are experiencing the distress of unemployment or job insecurity; the anxiety of struggling to cover their basic needs; or the sadness of having to give up a business they had dedicated their lives to. For all these reasons, it´s natural and understandable that feelings of despondency and distrust are so widespread,“ added the King of Spain. “But the response to a crisis as severe as this one cannot come from a place of discouragement and distrust. The situation is serious. But even so, we must face the future with determination and belief in ourselves, in what we can do if we join forces, with hope and determination; with confidence in our country and our democratic way of life,“ he said.

“Over recent decades, we have faced other serious difficulties, and we have always overcome them. And this situation we´re going through won´t be any different, because neither the virus nor the economic crisis is going to defeat us,“ said Felipe VI and added: “In the healthcare situation, it´s clear that we will beat this disease thanks to science and research. The new vaccines and viral treatments that have been developed are already bringing hope to the world. But meanwhile, we still have a lot to do. Individual responsibility is still essential, and it is an effective weapon in the fight against the virus. That´s why it´s so important to keep taking precautions and not let our guard down.“

For the King of Spain, “the other major problem and challenge is the economic crisis, and especially, to stop it becoming a social crisis. Every person matters a great deal. That´s why people and families must be our main concern. Especially our young people; their unemployment level is very high, and we cannot let them be the losers in this situation. Our youngsters deserve the best education for them to grow personally and professionally, and be able to carry out their projects. Spain can´t afford to have a lost generation.“

“Protecting the most vulnerable and combating the inequities that the pandemic has created or increased is a matter of human dignity for all of us who form a single political community,“ added the King. “But it will also be essential to recover our economy. And to do that, it is vital that we strengthen the fabric of business, production, industry, and services. Recognition and support for our companies, protection for our self-employed workers and business owners, so hard-hit over these months, will be essential for creating the jobs that Spain needs so badly. So we need to consolidate the foundations that help us look to the future, give us economic stability and confidence, encourage investment and create jobs.“

This requires, said Felipe VI, “a great collective effort, a great effort in which we all keep doing our best according to our responsibilities and our abilities. For this great national effort, first of all, we have what´s most important: people. With the example of the thousands of citizens who have done their jobs out of service to others, who have given of themselves over these last few months in self-sacrifice, commitment, and great generosity. People who spur us on to meet every challenge, and who make us justly proud.“

Also Europe

“And Europe is also very important for dealing with this crisis,“ added the King of Spain. “We can count on the European Union, which is firmly committed to economic sustainability and recovery in the face of this pandemic. The European Union offers us a historic opportunity to move forward and make progress; to begin a new era in which Spain joins in a shared project to modernise our economy; to adapt our structures of production to the new industrial, technological and environmental revolution we are living through. And to assume, with ambition and cohesion, our collective role as members of the EU in the wider world.“

“And above all, we can count on our system of democratic unity. In a time when the pandemic and its economic and social consequences are causing such uncertainty, our Constitution guarantee our way of understanding life, our vision of society and human beings; their dignity, their rights and freedoms. A Constitution which we all have the duty to respect; it is now the foundation of our social and political cohesion, and in our history it represents a triumph of and for democracy and freedom,“ explained the monarch.

“In 2014, in my Proclamation to Parliament, I referred to the moral and ethical principles which citizens demand from us. Principles which all of us must follow, without exceptions, and which outweigh all other considerations, even personal or family ties. This is how I have always understood it, in line with my convictions and how I understand my responsibilities as Head of State, and with the spirit of renewal which has inspired my reign from the first day.“ he concluded.