Spain's Government Structure: Monarchy, Parliament, and Courts

Spain's Political System: A Parliamentary Monarchy

The Kingdom of Spain is a parliamentary monarchy in which the monarch serves as the Head of State, while the President of the Government is the Head of Government. Currently, the King of Spain is Felipe VI, who ascended to the throne in 2014.

The Monarchy and Head of State

The Crown, as a symbol of the nation's unity, fulfills a two-fold function:

• Firstly, it represents the unity of the state and the organic separation of powers. Consequently, the monarch appoints the President of the Government, and summons and dissolves the Parliament.
• Secondly, it represents the Spanish State as a whole, sanctioning and promulgating laws.

Legislative Power: The Cortes Generales

Legislative power is vested in the Cortes Generales, a bicameral parliament comprising the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.

The Congress of Deputies

The Congress of Deputies is the lower house, composed of 350 representatives, also known as Diputados.

The Senate

The Senate is the upper house, consisting of 208 members elected directly, and 49 regional representatives designated by the autonomous communities. Both deputies and senators serve for four-year terms or until the dissolution of the Cortes Generales.

The Senate holds less power than the Congress of Deputies: it can veto legislation, but its veto can be overturned by an absolute majority of the lower house.

Executive Power: The Government and Cabinet

The executive power is exercised by the Government, which is integrated by the President of the Government, the Vice-Presidents, and other Ministers. They all collectively form the Cabinet, or Council of Ministers. The Government is responsible for both domestic and foreign policy, as well as defence and economic policies.

Judicial Power: Independence and Supreme Courts

The Judiciary is independent of the Executive and the Legislature, administering justice on behalf of the King through judges and magistrates.

The Supreme Court of Spain

The Supreme Court of Spain is the highest court in the nation, superior to all others in most affairs, except in constitutional matters, which are ruled by the Constitutional Court.

General Council of the Judiciary

The General Council of the Judiciary is the governing body of the Judiciary, integrated by the President of the Supreme Court and twenty members elected by the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.

Key Political Terminology

Right-wing party

Conservative party

Left-wing party

Labour party

Decrease

Decline

To refuse

Reject

Result

Outcome

Agreement

Deal

Relinquish

Resign / Stand down

Answer

Response

To substitute

To replace

Opinion surveys

Opinion polls

To take part in a general election

Contest a general election

The treaty establishes a procedure

The treaty provides a procedure