Spanish Monarchy Restoration: Political System & Parties

The Monarchy

With the restoration of the Bourbons, Canovas del Castillo aimed to establish a stable political system. Inspired by the need to regain the prestige of the monarchy, he firmly established it as the form of state. To achieve this, Canovas was inspired by the British parliamentary system, as well as the principles of doctrinaire liberalism, which gave the king relevant power in the political system.

From the British system, Canovas transplanted to Spain the party system and the role of alternating parties. This would give the appearance of a constitutional monarchy. For Canovas, the monarchy was inseparable from the history of Spain and had to be firmly seated as the form of state.

The king would have a significant role in political life. In the constitution of 1876, he was granted broad powers: shared sovereignty and legislative power with the Cortes, the ability to veto legislation, convene, suspend, and dissolve parliament, exercise executive power, and elect the mayor and ministers.

However, the system did not ignore its artificiality and the low ratio between the institutions and most of the population.

The Dynastic Parties

One of the key elements of the political system of the Restoration era was bipartisanship, the existence of two major parties: the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party, called dynastic parties. Both agreed on the fundamentals but took on two complementary roles. Their social background was similar, although landowners and liberal professionals dominated the Conservatives.

Both parties defended:

• Constitutional monarchy
• The Constitution of 1876
• Private property and the capitalist system
• The consolidation of a unitary and centralist state

The Conservative Party

Founded by Canovas del Castillo. Formed by former moderate unionists. Ideology: Conservatives defended census suffrage, the Church, social order, and curtailed freedoms.

The Liberal-Fusionist Party

Led by Mateo Sagasta, it brought together old progressive unionists and former republicans. Ideology: The Liberals were inclined towards a more progressive and secular reformism.