Thousands of anti-monarchy protesters have rallied in the Spanish capital calling for a referendum to decide whether Spaniards want a monarchy or a republic.<br /><br />Spain’s red, yellow and purple republican flag was displayed prominently in Madrid.<br /><br />As King Juan Carlos gets ready to abdicate, many want the monarchy to be abolished.<br /><br />A corruption scandal in the royal family and the King’s health issues after repeated surgery in recent years have also eroded public support for the monarchy.<br /><br />“We want to be citizens not subjects,” said a protester in Madrid. “In a republic we can demand accountability to the president and we can’t with this one [King Juan Carlos]. We don’t want to be ruled by a family as corrupt as the Bourbons. A republic is cheaper as well,” she added.<br /><br />The demonstration in Madrid was mirrored in more than 40 cities across Spain, joining thousands under the same slogan, “Referendum Now”.<br /><br />A woman at the Galician demonstration explained: “Today we want to demand our right to choose so we can decide if we want a monarchy or republic and what kind of country we want to build.”<br /><br />Younger Spaniards appear increasingly republican. A poll at the start of 2013 showed more than 57 percent of young people rejected the monarchy.
