King Juan Carlos I gives up the Spanish throne

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The law records the abdication of King Juan Carlos I de Borbón. The abdication takes effect the moment the law enters into force.
2. The law enters into force when it is published in the Official State Gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado). From that moment, the succession to the Crown happens automatically, following the order set out in the Constitution.
3. The Constitution says that abdications by the King must be settled through an organic laworganic law A law on fundamental rights, the electoral system or other matters the Constitution reserves. It needs an absolute majority in the Congreso: 176 votes.. That is why this law is passed instead of any other formula.

Who it affects

• King Juan Carlos I de Borbón: Stops being King the moment the law enters into force.
• The heir to the Crown: The succession to the Crown happens automatically when the law enters into force.
• The Cortes Generales (Spanish Parliament): Pass the organic law that makes the abdication effective.

Words worth knowing

Abdicación (abdication)

The King giving up the throne.

Ley orgánica (organic law)

A type of law that requires special majorities in Congress and is reserved for major matters, such as succession to the Crown.

Sucesión en la Corona (succession to the Crown)

The transfer of the title of King or Queen to the person next in line under the order set out in the Constitution.

organic law

A law on fundamental rights, the electoral system or other matters the Constitution reserves. It needs an absolute majority in the Congreso: 176 votes.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries