Spanish king expresses sympathy for the millions of unemployed

MADRID - Spanish King Juan Carlos has used his annual Christmas address to the nation to express sympathy for millions of Spaniards who have lost their jobs amid the nation's economic crisis and have little relief in sight. 

The 75-year-old monarch says a big effort is needed to jumpstart the Spanish economy because "we cannot accept as normal the anguish of the millions of Spaniards who do not have work." 

Spain has an unemployment rate of 26 percent, and joblessness is more than twice that for Spaniards under age 25. 

Juan Carlos spoke Tuesday night. He did not mention scandals that have hit Spanish royalty hard. Juan Carlos received huge criticism last year after going on an elephant hunting trip just as Spain's economy was teetering on the verge of collapse.