Sánchez takes office without a Bible or crucifix.
Socialist Pedro Sánchez was sworn in and, for the first time in democracy, promised to uphold the constitution without the presence of the Bible and the crucifix. Sánchez opted for this formula after the Royal Household agreed, in July 2014, shortly after Felipe VI's proclamation, to give high-ranking officials the option of pledging with or without the Bible or the cross.
247 - The leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), Pedro Sánchez, was sworn in by the King as Prime Minister, in a ceremony this morning at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.
The novelty was that, for the first time in democracy, Sánchez promised to uphold the constitution without the presence of the Bible and the crucifix, reports the Madrid newspaper El Mundo. "Sánchez opted for this formula after the Royal Household agreed, in July 2014, shortly after Felipe VI's proclamation, to give high-ranking officials the option of pledging with or without the Bible or the cross."