Rise of Empires: Spain.

Chapter 21 Cabinet Selection

Early the next morning, in front of the watchful eyes of Spanish officials, Carlo held up the Spanish Constitution and announced that he was crowned King of Spain, calling himself King Carlo I of Spain.

Afterwards, Primo led government officials to swear allegiance to Carlo, and the framework of the Kingdom of Spain was officially established.

According to the current Spanish Constitution, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Royal Government are three powers that coexist, representing legislative power, judicial power and executive power respectively.

As King of Spain, Carlo nominally had the power to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and senior officials, open or dissolve parliament, mobilize the army, enact or repeal laws, listen to state affairs and convene cabinet meetings.

But in reality, the only power Carlo can use at present is to listen to national affairs and convene cabinet meetings.

These two things can be combined into one, that is, Carlo can understand the current situation in Spain and the development of various policies through cabinet meetings, that's all.

Although Carlo can also put forward his own opinions, it is not certain whether the cabinet government headed by Primo will listen.

However, this situation is not absolute. The nominal King of Spain still has a lot of power. Once Carlo has cultivated enough reputation for himself and won the trust of the people and some officials, he can still influence the government through his power and achieve the policies or laws he wants to make.

Before he had enough reputation and status, Carlo could be content to be a king without much power, at least the responsibility would not fall on his head.

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

This arrangement is very beneficial. The Spanish government will have enough time to prepare for the coronation ceremony, and foreign guests will have enough time to come to Spain.

Of course, Spain is only a second-rate country in Europe after all, and the king’s coronation ceremony may not necessarily attract the attention of the powerful countries, except for neighboring countries such as Italy and France.

However, considering that Prussia and France are still at war, it is highly unlikely that these two countries will send representatives to attend.

Later, inside the Royal Palace conference room in Madrid.

"Prime Minister Primo, is the list of the cabinet government ready?" Carlo sat in the main seat and asked with a smile to Primo who came in exhausted.

"It's ready, Your Majesty." Primo nodded and respectfully handed over a list.

"Since Your Majesty has been sworn in and crowned under the constitution, it is inappropriate for Mr. Serrano to continue to serve as regent. Your Majesty, do you have any arrangements for Mr. Serrano?" Primo asked.

The reason why Serrano became regent was entirely because the Spanish throne was unresolved at the time, which gave rise to the position of regent.

Now that Carlo has come to Spain and been crowned, it would be disrespectful to Carlo to continue to be involved in politics.

Historically, Serrano became Prime Minister of Spain after Amadeo's coronation, but that was because Primo was assassinated.

Now that Primo is still alive and well, the position of prime minister is naturally not suitable for Serrano.

Considering that there was no position in the cabinet government more suitable for Serrano than that of Secretary of Defense, the answer to this question actually existed from the beginning.

"Let Duke Serrano be the Minister of Defense," Carlo said. "He will also serve as the Army Commander-in-Chief. I feel relieved to hand over the army to a general like Duke Serrano." Serrano's resume is quite impressive. He joined the army at the age of 12 and participated in more than ten wars of varying sizes. At the age of 46, he was awarded the rank of marshal and was also named Duke de la Torre for his contribution in occupying the Dominican Republic.

So many merits, big and small, are not something that an ordinary person can obtain. This also proves in some ways that Serrano himself possesses excellent military command capabilities.

Hearing Carlo say this, Primo nodded to express his agreement.

Although there is only one position suitable for Serrano in the government, Primo did not directly write Serrano's name in the column of Minister of Defense, but symbolically asked Carlo for his opinion.

After all, Carlo has become the king of Spain, so he should be given enough attention at least in terms of face.

Carlo also understood this, and was very pleased with Primo's superficial attention. This also meant that Primo himself was not opposed to the monarchy. Like Serrano, he opposed those monarchs who had no ability but wanted to monopolize power.

After signing the list of the Spanish government's cabinet, Carlo turned his gaze back to Primo and asked the question he was most concerned about: "Prime Minister Primo, when can the next cabinet meeting be held?"

"According to the schedule of holding cabinet meetings once a week, the next meeting should be in three days, Your Majesty," Primo replied.

Primo didn't care that Carlo wanted to attend the cabinet meeting, after all, it was Carlo's right. But if Carlo wanted to express his opinions in the cabinet meeting as soon as he arrived in Spain, Primo would pretend not to hear it.

After all, no matter how talented a person is, he or she must first understand the situation in Spain, right? If you express your opinion without understanding any of the situation, what use will this opinion be to Spain?
"I will attend the cabinet meeting in three days, Prime Minister Primo." Hearing that the cabinet meeting would be held in three days, Carlo said straight to the point: "I hope to see detailed information about Spain during this period and understand what level our country is at.

Please rest assured that I will not interfere in any of Spain's policies before I have sufficient understanding. Prime Minister Primo, you can start your reform preparations, I will support you unconditionally, and I will express my position at the meeting. "

Primo nodded. With Carlo's unconditional support for reform, he didn't care about Carlo's possible suggestions at the cabinet meeting.

After all, suggestions are just suggestions. It depends on Primo himself whether he listens to them or not.

Carlo's firm support for reform can actually help Primo, which is very helpful in improving the current situation in Spain.

Ironically, Primo and Serrano, who overthrew Queen Isabella II of Spain, could actually be classified as royalists.

Although Primo's loyalty to Spain is higher than that to the king, he is still loyal to the king as long as the king does not harm the interests of Spain.

Even if it was just for the unification of Spain, Primo would not sideline the king, because only when Carlo's reputation and status became higher and higher, would the various regions of Spain obey the king's rule and follow the government's management.

If all regions are unwilling to obey the king's rule, Spain will become more and more chaotic, and various regions will seek autonomy or even independence, which will be fatal for Spain.

This is also the reason why Primo supports the monarchy. The current loose republic cannot save Spain at all, but will push Spain into the abyss of division and regional autonomy.

Only a unified and highly centralized royal government can help Spain get out of the abyss of divided autonomy and reshape a unified and powerful Spanish kingdom.

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(End of this chapter)