Spanish Political System: Structure and Institutions

Spanish Political System

Types of Political Systems

Authoritarian System

Power is controlled by one person.

• Dictatorship: A single party.
• Theocracy: Religious authorities control the government.
• Republic: The president is a dictator.
• Monarchy: The monarch has absolute power.

Territory

Controls and has a border that marks its boundaries with other states.

Decentralized States

They are a combination between centralized and federal states; they have autonomy in these matters.

Unitary State

The executive power is exerted by a single and central government.

Federal State

Power is divided between the federal government and the states' governments.

Rule of Law and the Constitution

Rule of Law

The state is subject to laws and regulations, and any new law depends on previous legislation, especially upon the Constitution.

The Constitution

Defines Spain as a democratic state under a parliamentary monarchy. It is the fundamental law that defines Spain's political system.

Spanish Constitution: Key Principles

• Fundamental rights and freedoms
• Separation of powers
• National sovereignty
• Rule of law

Separation of Powers

Legislative Branch

• Congress of Deputies: Composed of 350 deputies; it approves or rejects the state's general budgets.
• Senate: Made up of 266 senators; it introduces amendments and improves laws discussed in Congress.

Executive Branch

• The Government: It carries out the laws passed by the general courts; it conducts the state's domestic and foreign policy.
• Members: President and ministers.

Judicial Branch

• Courts of Justice: It applies the laws passed by the general courts; it guarantees justice for Spain's citizens.
• Members: General Council of Justice.

Autonomous Communities

An autonomous community is a form of state decentralization that allows a community some decision-making power. Spain has 17.

Government institutions include Parliament, the President, and the Government or Council.

Standard of Living and Human Development

A country's standard of living is based on indicators such as healthcare, education, life expectancy, and consumption.

Human Development Index (HDI)

Is an indicator that measures the level of development of a country's inhabitants and evaluates aspects that impact people's well-being and quality of life. This measurement is based on three variables: health, education, and GDP per capita.

Spanish Territory Organization

Spanish territory is organized into municipalities, provinces, and autonomous communities, which all serve the residents in different ways.

A municipality is the most basic administrative division of the Spanish territory.

Political Institutions

European Council

• Heads of state or government and Commission President.

Council of the EU

• Ministers, decisions of legal acts.

European Parliament

• 751 members, control, consultation, and decision on legal acts.

Non-Political Institutions

Court of Justice of the EU

• Ensures EU law is observed.

European Central Bank

• Keeps prices stable.

European Court of Auditors

• Control of revenues and expenditures of the EU.