WI: Balthasar Charles doesn't die

Well, for one thing, Spain avoids the disastrous reign of Charles II. When Philip IV dies, he will be succeeded by a son who doesn't suffer from inbreeding like Charles II did and, more importantly, who is an adult in no need for regency. This could potentially mean Spain could do better in the long run, though Balthasar would still have to face his cousin (and if things go OTL brother-in-law) Louis XIV of France and deal with Spain's declining power.

It's likely that Balthasar would marry his first cousin Marianna of Austria as they were engaged. That still brings the question of inbreeding between the Hapsburgs later on but Balthasar isn't as inbred as Charles II was (thanks notably to his mother being Louis XIII of France's sister) and I think a first cousin marriage is less harmful than an uncle-niece one. So the couple might pop out healthy children, meaning the Spanish Habsburg could live on longer if not survive.

A question I wonder is would Philip IV remarry if Balthasar survives?
 
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