MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - Juan Carlos is abdicating after almost 40 years as Spain's King, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was quoted as saying by Reuters Monday.
"His majesty, King Juan Carlos, has just communicated to me his will to give up the throne," he said. "I'm convinced this is the best moment for change."
“He [Juan Carlos] has been a constant advocate for our interests. I hope that shortly, the Spanish courts can proceed to name the current Prince of Asturias as King," Mundo quoted Rajoy as saying.
The 76-year-old Juan Carlos has been having health problems for some time and his son has stepped into his role for official functions.
The Spanish royal family has been hit by a number of scandals in recent years. The king’s daughter, Princess Cristina, and her husband Inaki Urdangarin have been under a long-running corruption investigation.
Juan Carlos I became King on 22 November 1975, two days after death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. Soon after enthronement, Juan Carlos introduced reforms to dismantle the Francoist regime and begin the Spanish transition to democracy. This led to the approval of the Spanish Constitution of 1978 in a referendum, which established a constitutional monarchy.
