Spanish Autonomous Communities and the European Union: A Guide

Spanish Autonomous Communities

Overview of Autonomous Communities

Spain is divided into several autonomous communities, each with its own government and powers. These include:

• Andalusia
• Basque Country
• Catalonia
• Canary Islands
• Galicia
• Balearic Islands
• Navarra
• Valencia
• Castilla-La Mancha
• Aragon
• Castilla-Leon
• Extremadura
• Cantabria
• Madrid
• Murcia
• La Rioja
• Asturias

The President

The President of each autonomous community is elected by the assembly of deputies from among its members. The President's functions include:

• Directing the governing council
• Representing the autonomous community
• Summoning and dissolving the assembly
• Convening regional elections
• Appointing directors

Judiciary

The High Court of Justiciary is the highest court in each autonomous community. State law acts as a substitute for domestic autonomy when there is no autonomous rule to resolve a lawsuit.

Powers of the Autonomous Communities

• Exclusive State Powers: Relate to sovereign functions of the state and ensure equality of all citizens.
• Exclusive Autonomous Community Powers: Exercised solely by the autonomous community to establish its own policies.
• Shared Powers: Responsibilities shared between the state and the autonomous community.
• Concurrent Powers: Legislative and executive powers shared in a complementary manner between the state and the autonomous community.

Regional Financing Sources

• Own revenue (taxes, contributions, income from assets, and credit operations)
• Shared revenue with the state (e.g., taxes on capital transfers, inheritance tax, gambling, income tax, VAT)
• Leveling income from the state's general budget to ensure a minimum level of public services nationwide.

Local Government

Local government, including municipal, provincial, and insular levels, is governed by the basic state-level law of local government. It is the closest level of government to the citizen.

Municipal Government

The municipality is the primary territorial administrative unit with legal personality, governed by a council.

Elements of Municipal Government:

• Territory: The municipality's territory defines the limits of its powers.
• Population: Residents registered in the municipal register.
• Municipal Organization: The full council comprises all council members, one of whom serves as mayor. Councilors are elected by residents for four-year terms.

Functions of the Full Council:

• Controls and monitors government bodies
• Adopts urban planning and municipal ordinances

The Mayor

The mayor is elected by and from the council and is typically the councilman heading the most voted list. The mayor directs municipal government and administration and represents the council.

Government Commission

Composed of a limited number of councilors (up to one-third of the full council), the government commission advises the mayor.

The European Union

Overview

The European Union is an international organization encompassing various European states, focused on economic and social policy integration for all members.

Member States

Member states include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Institutions and Bodies

• European Council: Heads of government from each member state meet to establish general policy.
• Council of the European Union: Ministers from member state governments approve the budget, coordinate economic policies, and make international agreements.
• European Parliament: Elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) share legislative functions with the Council, approve the budget, control the European Commission, and choose the European Ombudsman.
• European Commission: Represents Europe's interests, proposes new legislation, implements policies, manages EU funds, and ensures adherence to European treaties and Community law.
• Court of Justice of the European Communities: Interprets EU law and ensures its uniform application across member states.

Functioning of the European Union

The EU operates based on negotiation, alliances, and consensus. Key policy areas include:

• Regional policy
• Economic and monetary policy
• Agricultural policy
• Social policy
• Competition policy

Community Law

• Primary Community Law: Contained in treaties of union, outlining general principles.
• Secondary Legislation: Includes regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations, and opinions.