Spanish Politics and Institutions
Spanish Political System
- Constitution of 1978: Established parliamentary monarchy with separation of powers.
- The Crown:
- Head of State, symbolizes unity.
- Mediates and represents Spain in international relations.
- Functions include enacting laws, calling elections, commanding armed forces.
Legislative Branch
- Cortes Generales: Bicameral parliament, consisting of the Congreso de los Diputados (lower house) and Senate (upper house).
- Legislative process prioritizes bills from the Executive (about 80% of proposals).
- Election Procedure: King proposes candidate for PM after elections.
Executive Branch
- Prime Minister and Cabinet: Executes laws and policies.
- No term limits for PM; can change due to resignation or motion of censure.
- PM is accountable to the legislature.
Judiciary System
- Judiciary Independence: Interprets laws, ensures adherence to the Constitution.
- Higher courts: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court.
- Recent controversies regarding politicization and the efficiency of the judiciary.
Territorial Organization
- Autonomous Communities: Spain has a unitary structure with devolved powers to regions.
- Distinct status for regions like Catalonia and the Basque Country, reflecting center-periphery dynamics.
Political Parties in Spain
- Major national parties: PSOE (Socialist), PP (People's Party), Vox, Unidas Podemos.
- Political dynamics shaped by electoral policies and regional identities.
- Increasing presence of minor parties due to fragmentation in voter preferences.
Challenges in Spanish Politics
- Corruption Scandals: Impacting monarchy's reputation and public trust.
- Growing polarization regarding issues such as national identity and regional autonomy (e.g., Catalonia).
- Economic challenges and policy responses to crises (e.g., austerity measures).
