Revival of Monarchy in Europe?

[Cipriano (POL)]

These days the serbians speak about the possible restoration of Constitutional Monarchy in this country and the polls seem to be in favour of Crown Prince Alexander(www.royalfamily.org).
In Bulgaria, Romania and Albania the royalists seem to be very dynamic.
In Portugal, Italy and France things are little bit more complicated.
Do you thing Monarchy could be restored in some european countries, following the spanish example?

[Mitteleuropeo]

I voted for "not possible" bearing in mind that all the Countries listed above do not have Political Parties with an history of independence and getting along with the rules of established Parlamentar democracy. Therefore they tend to resort to the most recent "democratic" experiences in their history, which are sometimes identical with Monarchy.
Spain was a case very much alike them, since Franco, whose dictatorship survived World War II, had been himself the follower of Monarchy, as it had been Napoleon and Cromwell. In all these cases Monarchy was restored after disappearance of the dictators, since it was the only viable alternative to civil war.

[Cipriano (POL)]

Romania was a democratic party, for example...
Portugal and Italy?
Go to :http://www.casareal.co.pt;www.monarc...avoia-aosta.it

[Patto]

The east-european countries listed above are relatively poor and have a number of social problems. In uncertain times, people tend to long for a strong man, in this case this sems to be a King.

I think it is no coincidence that in wealthy countries like Germany and France there are no monarchist movements worthy of notice, while in Italy, for example, such movements are stronger in the poorer south.

Countries like Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands never abolished monarchy, and keep it as a symbolic institution, but I doubt many people in those countries think it is really important to them. It is more a tradition.
To establish a monarchy where there is none is a very backward idea, not suited for progressive countries. As long as Europes economy and society keep doing well, I do not think monarchy has any chance.

[Cipriano (POL)]

I don't suppose that the royalist movements in France or Germany are not quite significant and I doubt the majority of italian royalists are in the south.
In the european Monarchies there are no significant republican movement but in the ex-Kingdoms there is a wish of returning Monarchy.Why?

[Patto]

Originally posted by Cipriano
I don't suppose that the royalist movements in France or Germany are not quite significant and I doubt the majority of italian royalists are in the south.
In the european Monarchies there are no significant republican movement but in the ex-Kingdoms there is a wish of returning Monarchy.Why?

The largest german pro-monarchy movement counts about 200 members. That is not exactly significant in a country of 80 million people.
In Italy it is considerably stronger, and you are right, the south is no more the center of monarchism in Italy, as it was after the war. There are also more monarchists in Italy, about 15000. That could be due to the fact that in Italy there still is a royal family which could claim the throne, while in Germany and France no direct heir exists.

In the european kingdoms there is a constant debate going on abou the utility of the monarchy. In England, for example, although most people support Queen Elizabeth, it is a controversial issue if the monarchy should or should not be abolished after her death.
There are no strong republican movements in those countries because they are basically parliamentary republics, with the only difference that the head of state has extremely limited powers and comes from a royal family. In fact, the royals have almost exclusively ceremonial functions, with no political influence. What they are good for is to provide interesting stories and scandals for the tabloid papers. What good the introduction of such a powerless monarchy would do, I do not know. I see no point at all in it. But I think that the monarchists, while claiming they want a parliamentary monarchy, would not really mind giving their King or Queen quite a bit more influence than should be allowed in a democratic state.

[Cipriano (POL)]

In France there is the Heir to the Throne:HRH Prince Henry of Burbon-Orlèans, Count of Paris...
In Germany there are different Princely Family and there is the Imperial Family(Head of the Imperial Family is HIRH Prince Georg-Frederick of Prussia)...
In Italy the royalists inscribed in the monarchist movements could be 15000 but the royalists are quite a lot...
In UK I don't see a serious debate on the abolition of Monarchy after Elisabeth II..

[Cipriano (POL)]

Chances of Monarchy in Serbia after the elections?

[Patto]

Originally posted by Cipriano
Chances of Monarchy in Serbia after the elections?

Since Serbia is socially and politically very unstable, it could well be that the people would opt for a strong man leading the country. This could be a monarch, but also a milosevic-style dictator. I hope it will be neither, and that the current form of democracy will survive and become stronger. It would definitely help Serbias road towards european integration.

[benfy]

perhaps in europe monachy is possible, but it is not in italy