UNIT 9
Seven people from different political parties wrote the
Constitution. Then, it was debated in Cortes Generales and it was asked by a
referéndum.
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Government: Spain is a democratic state, base
don national sovereignity.
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The Spanish State is a parliamentary monarchy.
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The King is the Head of State but he can´t pass
laws. He is also Commander-in-Chief of the Spanish Armed Forces.
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The Crown is hereditary.
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Organisation:
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Spain is divided into 17 Autonomous Communities
and 2 autonomous cities. They have also local governments.
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They are governed by Status of Autonomy that
defines their language, name,
boundaries, and symbols.
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Autonomous Communities are divided into
provinces and municipalities.
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Symbols:
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The flag, the coat of arms and the national anthem.
(Lla Marcha Real)
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Castilian
Spanish is the oficial language but there are other languages in some
Autonomous Communities.
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Citizens´ rights and responsabilities
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Rights: equality, freedom of speech, freedom to
work and travel, healthcare and education, etc.
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Responsabilities: pay taxes, respect the law,
respect public services, take care of the environment, etc.
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Elections:
According to the Consitution, Spanish can vote over the age of 18.
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They take place every four years. Previously,
political parties show their campaigns.
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In Spain there are more than 80 registred
political parties.
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People vote by secret ballot.
THE STATE
There are three powers: legislative, executive and judicial.
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Legislative power: Parliament in Spain (Cortes Generales) is bicameral and it
represents all Spanish citizens.
§
The lower chamber: The Congress of Deputies (El
Congreso de los Diputados). The memebers are deputies (diputados) and they
approve or not laws. They belong to different political parties and their number
depends on the number of votes they receive in the general elections.
§
The upper chamber: The Senate (El Senado). The
memebers are Senators (senadores). They make sure the Autonomous Communities
follow the Constitution. Senators can pass laws but can´t veto them.
The
two chambers of Pparliament make decisions together to control the Executive.
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Executive power: The party with most votes in
elections form the government. The Prime Minister is selected by memebers of
the Congress. He or she is the Head of the Government and chooses the
ministers. There are twelve ministers:
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Health, Social Services and Equality
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Education, Culture and Sport
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Emplyment and Social Security
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Economic Allairs and Competition
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Treasury and Public Administrations
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Agriculture, Food and Environmental Allairs
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Defence
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Interior
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Justice
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Public Works
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Industry, Energy and Tourism
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Foreign Affairs and Cooperation7
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Judicial power: it belongs to courts and
tribunals. Judges and magistrates ensures that laws are obeyed. The highest
judicial bodies are The Supreme Court
(El tribunal Supremo) and The Constitutional Court (El tribunal
Consititucional)
§
The Supreme Court can start proceedings against ministers,
senators or the Prime minister and can accept or reject sentences of lower
courts.
§
The Consitutional Court decides laws are in
concordance with the Constitution. It can reject decisions by The Supreme Court if humand rights have not been
respected.
