Spain Protests Call for Vote on Monarchy Monday June 02,2014

Tens of thousands took to the streets in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities across Spain on Monday June 02,2014  to demand a vote on whether to rid Spain of its royal family.

The protests came after Spain's King Juan Carlos, who led the country's transition from dictatorship to democracy but faced scandals during the nation's near financial meltdown, announced on Monday he would abdicate in favour of his son Felipe, making way for a "new generation"

Prince Felipe, 46, a former Olympic yachtsman, would presumably take the title King Felipe IV.

Far-left parties called for a national referendum to abolish Spain's monarchy after the king made his announcement.
Juan Carlos has been on the throne for 39 years and was a hero to many for shepherding Spain's democratic and economic transformation.
He came to power in 1975, two days after the death of Francisco Franco