Historically the Armed forces of Spain have been both the county's oppressor and liberator.

In protecting the peace and forming the Guardia it could be argued that they have protected the nation.

But there have been too many rumblings of discontent and very recently obvious attempts to form the basis of a coup - perhaps to put the PP back in power or more insidiously to form a power based government of their own and a return to the days of the Franco dictatorship.

The government is right to replace the head of the army. The government need to replace every officer over the age of forty as soon as possible to be absolutely safe - but that would be unacceptable. Democracy must not be allowed to fail in Spain.