Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 21: Chapter 20: Cabinet Candidates

Early the next morning, under the watchful eyes of various officials in Spain, Carlo held the Spanish Constitution and announced his coronation as King of Spain, titled King Carlo I of Spain.

Afterward, Prime Minister Prim led the government officials in swearing loyalty to Carlo, officially establishing the framework of the Kingdom of Spain.

According to the current Spanish Constitution, the House of Representatives, Senate, and Kingdom Government stand as three parallel powers, representing legislative, judicial, and executive authority, respectively.

As for Carlo, as King of Spain, he is nominally endowed with the power to appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and senior officials, open or dissolve the parliament, mobilize the military, promulgate or repeal laws, listen to national affairs, and convene cabinet meetings.

However, in practice, the powers Carlo can currently exercise are limited to listening to national affairs and convening cabinet meetings.

These two functions can merge into one: Carlo can learn about the current state of Spain and the development of various policies through cabinet meetings, and that’s about it.

Although Carlo can also offer his opinions, whether the cabinet government led by Prime Minister Prim listens is uncertain.

Yet this situation is not absolute; the Spanish King still retains substantial nominal powers. Once Carlo cultivates enough prestige, winning the trust of the public and some officials, he can indeed influence the government through his powers, thereby realizing policies or laws he wishes to implement.

Before acquiring sufficient prestige and status, Carlo can comfortably remain as a King without much power, at least without the responsibility falling upon his head.

Carlo’s coronation ceremony was scheduled for November, about two and a half months later.

This arrangement is beneficial because the Spanish Government has ample time to prepare for this coronation ceremony, allowing foreign guests adequate time to arrive in Spain.

Of course, Spain is merely a second-rate European country, and the King’s coronation ceremony may not capture the attention of powerful nations, aside from neighboring countries like Italy and France.

However, considering the ongoing war between Prussia and France, it is highly unlikely these two countries will send representatives to attend.

A little later, in the meeting room of the Madrid Royal Palace.

“Prime Minister Prim, is the list for the cabinet government ready?” Carlo asked with a smile, seated at the head, addressing Prim, who arrived hurriedly.

“It’s ready, Your Majesty.” Prim nodded, respectfully handing over a list.

“Since Your Majesty has sworn the oath under the Constitution and been crowned, Mr. Serrano continuing as regent is not suitable. Do you have any arrangements for Mr. Serrano, Your Majesty?” Prim asked.

Serrano’s role as regent was entirely due to the undecided Spanish throne at the time, leading to the creation of such a position.

With Carlo now in Spain and crowned, continuing with a regent position would be disrespectful to Carlo.

Historically, Serrano became Prime Minister after Amadeo’s coronation, but that was because Prim faced an assassination attempt.

Now that Prim is alive and well, the position of Prime Minister is naturally not suitable for Serrano.

Considering there is no other position in the cabinet government apt for Serrano beyond Minister of Defense, the answer to this question was apparent from the start.

“Let Duke Serrano serve as Minister of Defense,” Carlo stated, “and concurrently as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. I am very confident in handing over the army to a general like Duke Serrano.”

Serrano’s resume is indeed impressive. Joining the army at age 12, he has participated in more than a dozen wars, granted the rank of marshal at 46, and awarded the title of Duke of La Torre for his service during the capture of Dominica.

Such numerous accomplishments aren’t attainable by a mediocre person, proving Serrano’s excellent military command capabilities in certain aspects.

Upon hearing Carlo’s decision, Prim nodded, showing his agreement.

While currently, the government only offers this position suitable for Serrano, Prim, nonetheless, didn’t directly write Serrano’s name under the Minister of Defense category but symbolically sought Carlo’s opinion.

After all, Carlo has become King of Spain, and it’s important to give due respect, at least on the surface.

Carlo understands this and appreciates Prim’s outward respect. This also indicates Prim himself does not oppose the monarchy; like Serrano, he opposes those monarchs who, despite lacking ability, insist on wielding power alone.

After signing the Spanish Government’s cabinet list, Carlo looked back at Prim and asked the question most concerning him: “Prime Minister Prim, when can the next cabinet meeting be held?”

“Following the schedule of conducting cabinet meetings weekly, the next meeting should be in three days, Your Majesty,” Prim replied.

Prim is indifferent to Carlo’s wish to attend cabinet meetings, as it’s Carlo’s right. However, if Carlo intends to voice opinions at the cabinet meeting immediately upon his arrival in Spain, Prim would pretend not to hear.

After all, even the most talented person must first understand Spain’s situation, right? Voicing opinions without understanding the situation, what use do those opinions have for Spain?

“I want to attend the cabinet meeting in three days, Prime Minister Prim,” Carlo said directly upon hearing the meeting would occur in three days. “I hope to view detailed information about Spain in this period, to comprehend our nation’s current status.

Please rest assured, until I’ve sufficiently understood, I will not interfere with Spain’s policies. Prime Minister Prim, you may begin your reform preparations; I will unconditionally support you and express this stance at the meeting.”

Prim nodded. With Carlo’s unconditional support for the reforms, any suggestions Carlo might have at the cabinet meeting are irrelevant.

After all, suggestions are just suggestions; whether to heed them is up to Prim.

Carlo’s firm stance on supporting reforms provides tangible aid to Prim, helpful in improving Spain’s current condition.

Ironically, both Prim and Serrano, who toppled Queen Isabella II of Spain, can be categorized under the Royalist Party.

Though Prim’s loyalty to Spain surpasses his loyalty to the King, as long as the King doesn’t harm Spain’s interests, Prim remains loyal to the King.

Even for Spain’s unity, Prim wouldn’t sideline the King, as only Carlo’s rising prestige and position make the various regions willing to submit to the King’s rule and heed the government’s governance.

If the regions are unwilling to submit to the King’s rule, Spain will descend into chaos, with areas seeking autonomy or even independence, posing a severe threat to Spain.

Prim supports the monarchy for this reason. The currently loose republican system cannot salvage Spain, instead pushing Spain into the abyss of division and regional autonomy.

Only a unified and highly centralized Kingdom Government can help Spain escape the abyss of division and autonomy, reshaping a unified and formidable Kingdom of Spain.