The Duration Of Spanish Political Campaigns: How Long Is Too Long?

In Spain, general elections are held every four years, but the prime minister can dissolve the legislature and call for early elections at any time, as long as a year has passed since the previous election. The election campaign lasts for 15 days, and an election silence is imposed on the day before the election. In the 2023 Spanish general election, the official electoral campaigning lasted until 21 July, and the election was held on 23 July.

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The Spanish Constitution allows elections for the Congress of Deputies and the Senate to be held on different days

General elections in Spain are held every four years unless a repeat or early election is called. Citizens of Spain elect members of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, the two chambers of the Cortes Generales, which represent the people of Spain. The Congress of Deputies is the lower chamber and holds more legislative power than the Senate, including the ability to vote confidence in or withdraw it from the prime minister and to override Senate vetoes with an absolute majority. The Senate, on the other hand, has exclusive functions in certain areas, such as constitutional amendments, which are not subject to override by the Congress.

The electoral campaign period for Spanish elections lasts for fifteen days, followed by an "election silence" on the day before the elections, which is a 24-hour ban on political campaigning. The voting process is carried out through universal suffrage, encompassing all nationals above 18 years of age, and the votes are counted both provisionally and generally within a few days after the election. The elected members are then proclaimed by the relevant electoral commission, and the chambers of the Cortes Generales are reassembled.

Spanish politics has recently witnessed the rise of far-right parties such as Vox, which has sparked debates on various issues, including LGBT and gender rights, abortion, and transgender rights. The existence of gender violence has been questioned by some Vox party officials, causing tensions with potential conservative partners. Additionally, the country's left-wing and right-wing blocs have faced internal dynamics and leadership changes, with the Socialists and the People's Party (PP) at the forefront of their respective coalitions.

Elections are held every four years unless a repeat or early election is called

In Spain, general elections are held every four years. In these elections, Spanish citizens choose members of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, the two chambers of the Cortes Generales that represent the people of Spain. The Congress of Deputies is the lower chamber, and the Senate is the upper chamber.

However, this four-year cycle can be interrupted if a repeat or early election is called. The prime minister has the power to dissolve the legislature and call for early elections, as long as a year has passed since the previous election, and there is no motion of no confidence in progress.

The formal process of calling early elections begins with a proposal from the prime minister, which is then deliberated by the Council of Ministers before being decreed by the king. The Spanish Constitution allows for elections for the Congress of Deputies and the Senate to be held on different days, but so far, they have always been held simultaneously.

The electoral law mandates that general elections take place 54 calendar days after the publication of the writs in the "Boletín Oficial del Estado." The electoral campaign lasts for 15 days, followed by an election silence during a day of reflection before the elections.

For instance, the 2023 Spanish general election was held on July 23, with the election decree published on May 29, 2023, setting the election date and scheduling both chambers to reconvene on August 17. This election was called early by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after the regional and local elections on May 28, 2023.

Repeat elections can also occur if the government cannot be formed. For example, in 2019, Sánchez called a repeat election in November after being unable to form a government following the April 28 general election.

The prime minister can dissolve the legislature and call for early elections at any time

In Spain, the prime minister has the power to dissolve the legislature and call for early elections at any time. This means that the typical four-year interval between general elections in Spain can be shortened at the prime minister's discretion. However, there are two important conditions that must be met before early elections can be called. Firstly, at least one year must have passed since the previous election. Secondly, a motion of no confidence must not be in progress against the prime minister.

The process of calling for early elections officially begins with a proposal from the prime minister, which is then deliberated by the Council of Ministers before being decreed by the king. Once the elections are called, the Spanish Constitution dictates that they must be held within a specific timeframe. The electoral law requires that general elections take place 54 calendar days after the publication of the official proclamation in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE). This publication serves as the starting point for the election process, providing transparency and ensuring that all citizens are informed about the upcoming election date.

The electoral campaign period in Spain is relatively short, lasting only 15 days. This intense and focused campaign period is followed by an "election silence" on the day before the elections, providing a "day of reflection" for voters. The actual election day follows, with polling stations open from 9 am to 8 pm, ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots. The provisional counting of votes commences immediately after the polls close, with the general counting of votes, including overseas ballots, taking place a few days later.

The flexibility afforded to the prime minister to call for early elections can have significant implications for the country. For example, in 2023, Pedro Sánchez called for an early election, catching political parties off guard and leading to the first July election since 1839. This unexpected election call had repercussions for the stock market, with the IBEX 35 index reacting negatively to the surprise announcement.

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The electoral campaign lasts for 15 days, with an official 24-hour ban on political campaigning prior to the election

In Spain, the electoral campaign lasts for 15 days, with an official 24-hour ban on political campaigning before the election. This period is known as the "day of reflection" and is mandated by Spanish law. The 15-day campaign period is part of the broader election process, which includes several key milestones and activities. Firstly, the prime minister can dissolve the legislature and call for early elections, provided that a minimum of one year has passed since the previous election, and there is no ongoing motion of no confidence. Following the prime minister's proposal and deliberation by the Council of Ministers, the king decrees the election.

The Spanish Constitution dictates that elections for the Congress of Deputies and the Senate can be conducted on different days, but they have always been held simultaneously. These elections typically occur every four years, with the option for repeat or early elections if necessary. The Congress of Deputies is elected by universal suffrage, ensuring that all citizens of legal voting age, both in Spain and abroad, can participate in choosing their representatives.

The 15-day campaign period is a crucial aspect of the Spanish electoral process, allowing political parties and candidates to promote their platforms and engage with voters. It provides an opportunity for Spaniards to learn about the candidates' policies, discuss important issues, and make informed decisions before casting their ballots. This intense period of political activity and engagement culminates in the official 24-hour break from campaigning, providing voters with a period of reflection before they head to the polls.

The 2023 Spanish general election, which took place on July 23, exemplified this process. The election was called on May 29, 2023, and the official campaigning ended on July 21, followed by the 24-hour ban on political campaigning before the election day. This specific election was notable for its surprise announcement, catching political parties off guard, and for being the first July election since 1839.

LGBT and gender issues have become prominent campaign issues in recent elections

In Spain, general election campaigns last for 15 days. The prime minister can dissolve the legislature and call for early elections at any time, provided that at least a year has passed since the previous election.

LGBT and Gender Issues in the 2023 Spanish Elections

However, the 2023 Spanish general election, called unexpectedly by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, saw the rise of the far-right Vox party, which has denounced pro-LGBTQ+ and pro-trans legislation. Vox has strong ties with other European far-right groups, including the Hungarian and French far-right. The party has attempted to capitalise on discontent among some Spaniards, who believe that the country has gone too far in promoting women's equality and is now discriminating against men. Madrid's regional president and leader of the populist faction of the centre-right People's Party (PP), Isabel Díaz Ayuso, campaigned successfully against "feminist parasites" and announced plans to revise transgender rights legislation.

The PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has also vowed to take action against pro-trans measures, with Feijóo promising to abolish the self-ID law and "regulate" trans rights. The PP and Vox have never governed together nationally but have formed coalitions at the local and regional levels. If they were to form a coalition, there are concerns that the new government could attempt to undo recent achievements on LGBTQ+ and women's rights.

Despite these concerns, Spain's progressives remain confident that legislation on gender-based violence will withstand any potential rollback. Additionally, the country's continued status as a progressive bastion is not guaranteed, as activists warn that a swing to the right could threaten hard-won gains.

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