The cabinet of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Tuesday approved a proposal for emergency legislation that allows King Juan Carlos to abdicate and hand over his duties to Crown Prince Felipe.
The proposal will be fast—tracked by the Spanish Parliament and is expected to pass easily because Mr. Rajoy’s Popular Party has the majority of seats and the leading opposition Socialist Party also supports the legislation.
Jesus Posada, who leads the Parliament’s lower house, predicted the law will take effect by June 18, meaning Prince Felipe would be proclaimed king before lawmakers shortly after that.
The 76—year—old king and Felipe, 46, participated Tuesday at a military ceremony outside Madrid as Mr. Rajoy met with his cabinet.
Juan Carlos is widely respected for leading Spain’s transition from dictatorship to democracy and staring down a 1981 coup attempt, but was hit hard by royal scandals over the last several years.
