Felipe VI, King of Spain: “There are pasts that cannot be repeated, not even as a caricature”

“We are two countries with memory, with a clear awareness of the past, particularly of what cannot and should not be repeated, not even as a caricature.” With these words, spoken in a joint session of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic, the King has expressed his concern about the erosion of many treaties, institutions, and multilateral forums - Felipe VI, like King Juan Carlos did in 1998, has addressed the parliamentarians in a symbolic intervention that highlights the significance of the first State visit of the King and Queen to Italy.

In a speech of deep political significance, the King has made a reference to the danger posed by questioning the effectiveness of institutions, even admitting that they are “very improvable,” or the “very sense of their existence,” which, according to the King's reflection, implies “a dangerous slide towards something uncertain..., and not at all bright.” The King has been speaking for nearly twenty minutes, being interrupted by applause on several occasions, the first time after his remarks in Italian.

Without forgetting, furthermore, that this takes place in “a complex and volatile global context, with open and latent conflicts, enormous internal and international inequalities, and with an acceleration of technological changes and the deterioration of the natural environment that sustains human life.” A lengthy reflection with implicit references to institutions such as the European Union, the United Nations, or NATO, among others of a multilateral nature, which also provokes a reflection on national institutions in passing.

Remember to King Juan Carlos, who was born in Rome

The King has started his speech in Italian, apologizing for not speaking it as well as his father, King Juan Carlos, who was born in Rome. Indeed, the former head of State, along with Pope John Paul II, are the only two non-Italian personalities who have preceded Felipe VI at the podium of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic.

When accessing the lectern, the King has confessed to feeling impressed by “the view from here, what it means, democratically and from the public or state responsibility, to address the dear Italian people through their legitimate representatives.” Felipe VI has thanked for the privilege that has been granted to him: “And if today I am honored with it, it is because Spain is not seen in Italy merely as a friendly country, but as a brotherly country, which is the same consideration that Italy has in my country.”

The King's intervention took place in the Chamber of Deputies (the equivalent of the Spanish Congress), where the King acknowledged that, alongside the Senate of the Republic, “the values that define us are projected; democracy, individual freedoms, human rights, and the rule of law are affirmed.”

“How fragile peace is, even when it is achieved!”

In another point of his speech, the King has recalled how necessary “law and diplomacy are and will always be to advance on that endless path; and how much will, courage, generosity, and high-level leadership we need to cooperate deeply and sincerely towards greater stability, cohesion, and harmony in the world,” ending with the exclamation “How fragile peace is, even when achieved!”

In his words to the Italian parliamentarians, the King has not forgotten the war in Ukraine, which will soon be entering its third year: “an aggression not only against the Ukrainian people, but against the entire international community,” he said. Nor has he overlooked the Middle East, “a region currently witnessing the resurgence of a spiral of violence that has unfortunately characterized its history so many times.”

In reference to Spain and Italy's status as allies in NATO, the King has noted, “Our allies must know that both Italy and Spain expect the commitment of the rest of the Allies to the Southern Flank to be unquestionable, just as ours is with the Eastern Flank.”

“We must continue giving immigrants the respectful treatment that every human being deserves”

Migration management, which affects both Italy and Spain, has also had a space in the words of the King. “The Mediterranean has confirmed its strategic centrality, adding to the complex management of migratory flows, among other challenges. In the Mediterranean, various conflicts converge, along with growing economic imbalances and concerning social fractures that threaten to put the entire region at risk.” 

After reminding that both Italy and Spain must prioritize “promoting safe, orderly, and regular immigration flows,” the King has called for “as Europeans, we must continue to give immigrants the dignified treatment that is owed to every human being.” At the same time, he has warned about the need to “coordinate more and more, so that the Mediterranean becomes an open, prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable space, as this is where the hope for the future lies for all coastal countries and, therefore, for Europe itself.”

The King has finished his speech by thanking Italy “for contributing so much to what we are; for showing us -yesterday, today, and always- how high the human being can fly.” A long standing ovation from the parliamentarians has bid farewell to the King, after delivering his speech between the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana.