Empire Rising: Spain

Chapter 162: Chapter 136: At the Mercy of Others (Double-Length Chapter)

Currently within Europe’s major environment, the conflict between Germany and France is the most intense, followed by the conflicts between England and France, and Austria and Russia.

Outside of Europe, there is also the conflict between the United Kingdom and Russia; the relationships among several European Powers are rather complex.

In this situation, Prime Minister Prim truly did not think of having Spain join these competitions. For Spain, reform is the most important matter, followed by the development of industry and economy.

As for participating in the competition among these powerful countries, that is a matter for much later. Currently, Spain does not possess that strength, and forcibly joining in may instead lead to becoming cannon fodder in the struggle of nations.

Upon hearing Prime Minister Prim’s words that Spain would not join any military alliance with either France or Germany, President Thiers’s expression improved significantly.

The main purpose of this journey is still to ensure that Spain will not join the blockade against France, and Prime Minister Prim’s promise carries considerable weight.

However, whether Spain is a military ally of France also relates to the extent of France’s assistance to Spain.

If Spain is France’s military ally, President Thiers would not mind providing Spain with more favorable industrial aid, helping Spain to once again ascend to the throne of the European Powers.

But since Spain is unwilling to enter into a military alliance treaty with France, naturally the aid France provides to Spain will not be too generous.

After all, this is merely an exchange of interests between the French Government and the Spanish Government, ensuring Spain maintains a neutral stance in the competition between Germany and France through industrial aid.

Since it’s just a normal exchange of interests, there is no need to offer France’s more advanced industrial technology; simply using some already outdated industrial technology will be enough.

Prime Minister Prim seems to understand President Thiers’s thoughts, and before President Thiers takes the initiative to speak, Prime Minister Prim proactively says:

But sometimes the development of things does not go as expected. You know this, Mr. President. Although Spain is a constitutional monarchy, the Parliament’s power exceeds that of His Majesty the King.

If, in the European competition, the Spanish populace chooses to support one side, it will greatly influence the opinion of the Parliament.

The Cabinet Government is elected by the Parliament; to a certain extent, the opinion of the Parliament represents the opinion of the Cabinet Government. Though currently Spain will not sign a military alliance treaty with any country, if your country wins the support of the Spanish people, I am willing to follow the public sentiment.”

President Thiers’s smile once again stiffened.

Prime Minister Prim’s words seemed like he was explaining the situation of the Spanish Government to President Thiers, but in fact, he is still reminding President Thiers that if France does not show sincerity in its cooperation with Spain, perhaps Spain will lean towards Germany.

In Spain’s political system, the Parliament indeed holds significant power. The Cabinet Government is elected by the Parliament, and the King only has the power of appointment after the Parliament has chosen its members.

But the issue is, currently most of the seats in the Spanish Parliament are controlled by Prime Minister Prim. President Thiers is not foolish; before visiting Spain, he had already understood most of the Spanish Government’s situation.

It would be more accurate to say that Prime Minister Prim can influence the Parliament’s decisions, rather than the opinions of the Spanish populace affecting the Parliament.

If Prime Minister Prim believes that France’s aid lacks sincerity, perhaps the Spanish Parliament’s inclination will be towards Germany; this is precisely the reminder or rather, the implicit threat in Prime Minister Prim’s words.