02/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - Barroso responds to abdication of king of Spain. On Monday 2 June, José Manuel Barroso expressed, on behalf of the European Commission, his “deep admiration” for King Juan Carlos I, an ardent defender of democracy in Spain during the 39 years of his reign. Barroso said he was convinced of the ability of the future king Felipe VI to address the challenges that Spain must meet, when continuing from his predecessor. (MB)