VIVA – After Queen Elizabeth II died, it is time for King Charles III becomes ruler of England. However, when this displacement of the throne of power, many Commonwealth countries wanted to leave United Kingdom.
In this thing, several British Commonwealth countries such as Jamaica, Belize, Antigua, Barbuda, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand intend to leave the British Commonwealth.
As launched from PBS News Hour on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, given much of the symbolic nature of Charles' role as head of state, observers say little progress will change in the British Commonwealth region.
The Prime minister of Jamaica has announced that the country intends to abandon the monarchy. Not only that, the leaders of Belize and Antigua and Barbuda have also hinted at similar intentions to Jamaica.
This push to leave the British Commonwealth in connection with a renewed focus on the legacy of the British slave trade in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has put pressure on Britain and other European governments for reparations.
Meanwhile, Jamaica has also submitted a direct petition to the United Kingdom.
Raja Inggris Charles III saat tiba di Istana Buckingham, London, Inggris
- AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
King Charles III acknowledged his grief at the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade, but he has not issued a formal apology or addressed the issue of reparations.
In another place, the rule of Britain's new king may face challenges. Canada's stance on breaking away from British Commonwealth ties is a minority view, but the discourse is strengthening in the country.
The Prime Minister of Australia is a republican advocate who has also long supported a new referendum on this intention. Then, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supported the movement to leave the British Commonwealth.
Experts say Elizabeth's longevity demands a certain level of respect even among Republicans because most Commonwealth citizens today never know another head of state.
Ratu Kerajaan Inggris Elizabeth II
- AP Photo/Frank Augstein
But experts say with the Queen's death, respect for the monarchy can diminish, especially since King Charles III was low in popularity and accusations of racism against the royal family were made by Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
If that happens, the global role of the British monarchy and British soft power can be further diminished.
The Commonwealth of Nations is a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's power is largely symbolic, and political decisions are made by an elected parliament and executed by the prime minister.
Thus, kings are heads of state but not heads of government, in the sense that they are not involved in day-to-day governance.
