<sod>Prior to the [[2008–2012 Spanish financial crisis|Spanish financial crisis]] from 2008, the monarchy traditionally enjoyed wide support and popularity by Spanish citizens since its constitutional restoration in 1978, according to [[Fernando Villespin]],<ref>[[:es:Fernando Vallespín|Wiki article on Villespin]]</ref> president of the ''[[Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas]]'' (CIS, ''English: Sociological Research Center'')  in 2008.<ref name="King plays valuable role">{{cite web|title=Spaniards say King Juan Carlos plays valuable role| work=World News|date=2008-02-01  |url=http://news.notiemail.com/noticia.asp?nt=11858901&cty=200|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref><ref>[http://www.cis.es/cis/opencms/EN/index.html Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas] Official website</ref><ref>[[:es:Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas|Wiki article on the CIS]]</ref> According to Villespin, the king's traditional approval rating of over 70% through the years consistently out-performed those of elected political leaders, with a similar percentage of respondents considering that the king played an important role in maintaining Spanish democracy.<ref name="King plays valuable role"/> Public trust in Juan Carlos’ kingship "comes only behind that of the [[Ombudsman|National Ombudsman]]", Villespin continued.<ref name="King plays valuable role"/> Members of the royal family were routinely voted among the most respected public figures in Spain,<ref name="A royal pain for the Spanish monarchy">{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=Victoria|title=Spaniards A royal pain for the Spanish monarchy |work=[[New York Times]]|date=2008-10-17  |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/world/europe/17iht-sofia.4.17905851.html|accessdate=2009-12-02}}</ref> and in 2010 as many as 75% of Spanish citizens ranked the monarchy as "above any other public institution in the country", according to Dr [[Juan Díez-Nicolás]], a former president of the CIS and founder of the private consulting firm ASEP (''Análisis Sociológicos Económicos y Políticos'').<ref name="Spanish King rebrands for recession"/><ref>Prof. Dr. Juan Díez Nicolás, is a Professor of Sociology since 1971 and co-founder (1963–69) and last Director General (1976–77) of the former Instituto de la Opinión Pública, as well as the first Director General (1977–1979) of the present Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS), both within the public administration. During the political transition to democracy (1973–1982) he occupied several high public offices, he has been President of the Spanish Federation of Sociology (1995–98), President of the Forum for the Social Integration of Immigrants (1999–2002) and Vice-President of Members and Finances of the International Sociological Association (ISA). Currently he is Elected Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, member of the High-Level Advisory Group on Dialogue between Peoples and Cultures of the Mediterranean (personally appointed by the President of the European Commission), member of the Executive Committee of the [[World Values Survey]] Association, and member of different scientific and advisory committees.</ref> The CIS, a non-partisan government funded independent research institution, has been researching public opinion of the monarchy since 1984 and tracks three basic lines of inquiry; ''what is public confidence in the monarchy, what is the role of the monarchy in a democratic system, and to what degree has the king contributed to the democratic process.''<ref name="King plays valuable role"/><eod>
<sod>Prior to the [[2008–2012 Spanish financial crisis|Spanish financial crisis]] from 2008, the monarchy traditionally enjoyed wide support and popularity by Spanish citizens since its constitutional restoration in 1978, according to [[Fernando Villespin]],<ref>[[:es:Fernando Vallespín|Wiki article on Villespin]]</ref> president of the ''[[Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas]]'' (CIS, ''English: Sociological Research Center'')  in 2008.<ref name="King plays valuable role">{{cite web|title=Spaniards say King Juan Carlos plays valuable role| work=World News|date=2008-02-01  |url=http://news.notiemail.com/noticia.asp?nt=11858901&cty=200|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref><ref>[http://www.cis.es/cis/opencms/EN/index.html Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas] Official website</ref><ref>[[:es:Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas|Wiki article on the CIS]]</ref> According to Villespin, the king's traditional approval rating of over 70% through the years consistently out-performed those of elected political leaders, with a similar percentage of respondents considering that the king played an important role in maintaining Spanish democracy.<ref name="King plays valuable role"/> Public trust in Juan Carlos’ kingship "comes only behind that of the [[Ombudsman|National Ombudsman]]", Villespin continued.<ref name="King plays valuable role"/> Members of the royal family were routinely voted among the most respected public figures in Spain,<ref name="A royal pain for the Spanish monarchy">{{cite news|last=Burnett|first=Victoria|title=Spaniards A royal pain for the Spanish monarchy |work=[[New York Times]]|date=2008-10-17  |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/world/europe/17iht-sofia.4.17905851.html|accessdate=2009-12-02}}</ref> and in 2010 as many as 75% of Spanish citizens ranked the monarchy as "above any other public institution in the country", according to Dr [[Juan Díez-Nicolás]], a former president of the CIS and founder of the private consulting firm ASEP (''Análisis Sociológicos Económicos y Políticos'').<ref name="Spanish King rebrands for recession">{{cite news|last=|first=|title=Spanish King rebrands for recession|work=[[The Independent]]|date=2010-02-26  |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spanish-king-rebrands-for-the-recession-1911276.html|accessdate=2010-10-13|location=London}}</ref><ref>Prof. Dr. Juan Díez Nicolás, is a Professor of Sociology since 1971 and co-founder (1963–69) and last Director General (1976–77) of the former Instituto de la Opinión Pública, as well as the first Director General (1977–1979) of the present Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS), both within the public administration. During the political transition to democracy (1973–1982) he occupied several high public offices, he has been President of the Spanish Federation of Sociology (1995–98), President of the Forum for the Social Integration of Immigrants (1999–2002) and Vice-President of Members and Finances of the International Sociological Association (ISA). Currently he is Elected Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, member of the High-Level Advisory Group on Dialogue between Peoples and Cultures of the Mediterranean (personally appointed by the President of the European Commission), member of the Executive Committee of the [[World Values Survey]] Association, and member of different scientific and advisory committees.</ref> The CIS, a non-partisan government funded independent research institution, has been researching public opinion of the monarchy since 1984 and tracks three basic lines of inquiry; ''what is public confidence in the monarchy, what is the role of the monarchy in a democratic system, and to what degree has the king contributed to the democratic process.''<ref name="King plays valuable role"/><eod>