Faced with a turbulent international panorama – marked by the entrenched war in Ukraine, the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip or the instability in the Sahel – King Felipe VI has taken advantage of his tenth speech during Military Easter to value the work of the Armed Forces on missions abroad, in which 3,000 Spanish soldiers contribute “with their sacrifice and dedication to creating a more stable and secure world.” Although the monarch has not made any express mention this time of the Russian invasion or the Israeli war, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has not needed hot cloth to condemn “the violations of international humanitarian law” in Gaza, calling for a “immediate permanent ceasefire.”
The Military Easter ceremony, which serves to begin the military year and mark the lines of action for the next twelve months, started at the stroke of noon with the arrival of the Kings and Princess Leonor—in their first Military Easter— to the Plaza de la Almudena, where they were received by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, and the head of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
Felipe VI, who on this occasion wore the Navy uniform, reviewed after listening to the national anthem. He has been followed, in addition to the members of the Government, by the Chief of the Defense Staff, Admiral Teodoro López Calderón, and the Director of the Civil Guard, Leonardo Marcos. And before the expected speeches, it was time to greet some 200 guests and the imposition, by the monarch, of around twenty decorations.
The king wanted to begin his speech by mentioning the 45th anniversary of the Constitution, one of the elements to which he made the most reference during his traditional Christmas message. He has said of the Magna Carta that he guides “the path freely and democratically undertaken by the Spanish people.” The rest of the speech has been focused on the work of the Armed Forces, which fulfill “with determination, selflessness, effectiveness and dignity” the mission of contributing “to guaranteeing the necessary security conditions” so that citizens can “enjoy” the rights and freedoms.
For Felipe VI, 2023 was revealed to be a “very demanding” period for the permanent missions that ensure the sovereignty and independence of Spain. But above all, the 17 operations abroad. The monarch has referred to Spanish participation in reinforcing NATO’s deterrence and defense actions on the eastern flank, the EU and UN missions, with which “stability is projected in different geographical areas.” He has not mentioned Lebanon, where more than 600 Spanish peacekeepers are caught in the crossfire. “They are the best example of Spain’s commitment to international peace and security,” he assured.
