King Felipe VI calls for 'new Spain' as he is sworn in --- King Felipe VI has called for "a new Spain that we will build together" after being proclaimed head of state in a ceremony in parliament. -- Earlier, King Felipe received the royal sash from his father, Juan Carlos, at the Zarzuela Palace near Madrid. -- He acceded to the throne at the stroke of midnight after King Juan Carlos formally abdicated on Wednesday. -- The proceedings have been kept low key, as many Spaniards are suffering economic hardship. -- The swearing-in ceremony took the form of a proclamation rather than a coronation. It is the first royal transition in Spain since democracy was restored in the 1970s. -- The new king, 46, swore an oath promising to uphold the constitution. -- The speaker of the lower house of parliament, Jesus Posada, then proclaimed him king, declaring: "Long live Spain! Long live the king!" -- In a speech to parliament, Felipe said he had "great hope" for the future of Spain and called for unity. -- "You will find in me a loyal head of state who is ready listen and understand, warn and advise as well as to defend the public interest at all times," he said. -- "The monarch wants to be close to citizens… ensuring it can preserve its prestige and dignity. -- "Now more than ever, citizens of Spain are rightly demanding fundamental ethical principles should govern our public life. The king should not only be a reference but who serves all citizens of Spain." - More, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27918094