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Congress of deputies' composition as
March 2008
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People's Party (PP) |
153 |
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Total number |
350 |
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Senate's composition
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Popular Party (PP) |
122 |
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Total number |
259 |
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Political System
Spain is a constitutional Monarchy and a federal parliamentary democracy.
Head of State
King Juan Carlos I assumed the Spanish throne on 22 November 1975. He became the Head of State after Francisco Franco's death. The King engineered a transition to democracy which resulted in the transformation of a dictatorial regime into a pluralistic, parliamentary democracy. Prior to the advent of participatory democracy, there was little political involvement by citizens. The King has the power to ratify laws, dissolve the legislature and propose candidates for the office of Prime Minister. He is also Head of the Armed Forces.
Government
The current government of the Socialist Party, has been in office since March 2004.
The Head of Government is indirectly elected by the legislature.
The King, in consultation with the representatives elected by the political groups in the parliament and through the President of the House of Representatives, proposes a candidate for the Presidency of the Government. The House of Representatives approves or disapproves the candidate by an absolute majority of its members. If the candidate is approved, the King appoints him as President.
Spain's executive branch consists of the President (Prime Minister), Vice-Presidents, and heads of ministries. Its responsibilities include the regulation of national and international policies and defence. The King proposes the candidate for Prime Minister who then must be approved by the Cortes.
The Council of Ministers is the highest national executive institution with both policy-making and administrative functions.
The country is divided into 17 autonomous communities, each with its own Parliament and Government. Even though the constitution defines Spain as unitary and indissoluble, it also recognises and guarantees the principle of autonomy of nationalities and regions.
Legislature
Spain's bicameral legislature, the Cortes, consists of the Congress of Deputies (Congreso de los Diputados) and the Senate (Senado), both of whose representatives are elected every four years in provincial elections. The Senate is composed of 259 members of whom 208 are directly elected and 51 are appointed as regional representatives, but with little influence. However, the Congress of Deputies has 350 members elected from closed party lists in individual constituencies. The Congress uses the proportional representation system and wields greater legislative power.
Apart from its legislative powers, the Cortes authorises the expenses of the State Control of the Government and approves international treaties.
Government elections
The last elections took place in March 2008. In the Congress of Deputies, the People's Party (PP) won 153 seats (5 seats and 530 000 more votes than in the previous elections).
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Political System
