King Felipe’s sister urged to consider taking herself out of the line of succession after being accused of tax scam

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Government support for Spain’s scandal-plagued Princess Cristina has waned, with its new parliament spokesman saying she should consider taking herself out of the line of succession after being ordered to stand trial on tax fraud charges.

“Cristina should reflect on whether she should renounce her rights of succession,” said Rafael Hernando in an interview published on Sunday in the newspaper El Mundo.

Just one week ago, the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, said he was convinced of her innocence. But on Friday, four days after her indictment, he said: “I can’t get involved.”

A day earlier, Cristina’s brother King Felipe said, without naming her, that public figures shouldn’t become rich by exploiting their positions.

The succession of comments indicates an increasingly precarious position for the beleaguered royal, whose husband Iñaki Urdangarin is also under investigation. Both he and his wife deny wrongdoing.