Eleanor Finch
Spain is a constitutional monarchy, with a written constitution that outlines the country's parliamentary system and the role of the monarch. The current monarch is King Felipe VI, who ascended the throne after his father, Juan Carlos I, abdicated in 2014. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 re-established a constitutional monarchy as the form of government for Spain, declaring the monarch as the head of state and the country's highest representative in international affairs. The constitution outlines the monarch's duties, including summoning and dissolving the legislature, appointing and dismissing ministers, ratifying laws, and commanding the armed forces. While the monarch is the head of state, the government is formed of two distinct phases, with the monarch appointing the president and ministers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Monarchy | Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy |
| Current Monarch | Felipe VI |
| Current Queen Consort | Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano |
| Heir to the Crown | Princess of Asturias Leonor de Borbón Ortiz |
| Second in line of succession | Infanta Sofía de Borbón Ortiz |
| Monarch's role | Head of State, symbol of unity and permanence of the State, arbitrator and moderator of the functioning of the institutions and assumes the highest representation of the Spanish State in international relations |
| Monarch's functions | Enacting and promulgating laws, convening and dissolving the General Courts, calling elections, calling a referendum, proposing the candidate for President of the Government of Spain, appointing and dismissing members of the government, issuing decrees, conferring civil and military posts and granting honours and distinctions, keeping abreast of information on affairs of State, presiding over sessions of the Council of Ministers, summoning and dissolving the legislature, appointing and accepting the resignation of the prime minister and cabinet ministers, ratifying laws, declaring wars, signing treaties decided upon by the government |
| Monarch's role in the judiciary | Justice is administered on behalf of the Monarch by the judges and magistrates of the judiciary, who are independent, irremovable, accountable and subject only to the Constitution and the rule of law |
| Monarch's role in the military | Commander-in-chief of the armed forces |
| Sovereignty | National sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people, from whom all State powers emanate |
| Legislature | Cortes Generales, composed of two chambers: Congress of Deputies and the Senate |
| Number of members in Congress of Deputies | 350 |
| Number of members in the Senate | 266 |
| Government formation | A presidential candidate submits their mandate of Government to the consideration of the Congress, and a president, once the confidence of the House has been conferred and once appointed by the King, proposes the appointment of ministers to the King |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Spanish Constitution of 1978
The constitution declared Spain a "social and democratic State", emphasising values such as liberty, justice, equality, and political pluralism. It also established the position of the King, deriving its legitimacy from the constitution itself, thus legitimising it democratically. The King, as the embodiment and personification of Spain's unity and permanence, has important duties, including sanctioning and promulgating laws, summoning and dissolving Parliament, calling elections and referendums, proposing and appointing the Prime Minister and other ministers, issuing decrees, conferring positions and honours, and commanding the Spanish Armed Forces.
The constitution also provided for a bicameral parliamentary system at the national level, with the Cortes Generales representing the Spanish people and controlling the actions of the Government. This consists of two Houses: the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, with the latter having the right of veto or amendment. The constitution outlines the process of forming the Government, with the President proposing the appointment of ministers to the King, and the King playing a pivotal role in promoting relations with other nations, especially those in the historical community.
Constitutional Monarchies: Can They Exist Without an Economy?
You may want to see also
The role of the King
The Spanish monarchy is a constitutional form of government. The current monarch is King Felipe VI, who ascended the throne after his father, Juan Carlos I, abdicated in 2014. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 outlines the role of the King, which includes:
- Being the head of state and the symbol of the country's unity and permanence.
- Summoning and dissolving the Cortes Generales (the Parliament) and calling for elections.
- Proposing and appointing the prime minister and other ministers, as well as removing them from office.
- Issuing decrees agreed upon by the Council of Ministers.
- Conferring civil and military positions, honours, and distinctions.
- Being informed of state affairs and presiding over meetings of the Council of Ministers.
- Commanding the Spanish Armed Forces and having the right to grant pardons.
- Accrediting ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives, and representing the highest power of the Spanish State in international relations.
- Expressing the state's assent to international commitments and treaties.
- Declaring war and making peace, with the authorisation of the Cortes Generales.
- Being the honorary president of the Organization of Ibero-American States.
- Facilitating meetings between political leaders following a general election.
- Performing ceremonial duties and representing the Spanish State domestically and internationally.
Constitutional Monarchy: Democratic or Undemocratic?
You may want to see also
The Crown and the Royal Household
The Crown, as the Spanish monarchy is referred to in the constitution, consists of the reigning monarch, currently King Felipe VI, his family, and the Royal Household. The Royal Household of Spain, officially the Household of His Majesty the King, is a constitutional body that provides aid and support to the King in the exercise of his royal duties and prerogatives. The household is under the direct authority of the King, who personally selects the individuals he chooses to aid him in his constitutional duties.
The modern Royal Household is much simpler than the preceding institution, with only the Head of the Royal Household and the Secretary General of the Royal Household (also referred to as the General Secretary of the Royal Household) being maintained. Both these offices are held by professional, senior civil servants, even if they come from the nobility. The Royal Household includes the Protocol office, which prepares and manages all aspects pertaining to the protocol of the Royal Family’s different activities, both in Spain and abroad, and the Administration, Infrastructure and Services section, which manages the financial and budgetary side, as well as matters pertaining to the Household's staff. The King’s Military Staff is primarily responsible for assisting him in the performance of his duties as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Spanish Armed Forces. The Military Cabinet is divided into four sections covering staff, protocol, operations, and logistics. The Aides-de-Champ to His Majesty The King are senior military officers who assist the king when carrying out his official duties. Their duties include arranging the king's travel and keeping track of his paperwork and documentation.
The Royal Household also includes the Office of the General Comptroller of the Royal House, who was the top financial chief and administrator of the Heritage of the Crown. Under his command were the Cashier, the General Archivist, the Royal Librarian, the Managers of the Royal Sites, the Bearers of the Royal Patronages, and the Secretary of the Intendency. The third Office out of the “Mayordomía” was the “Procapellán” (Chaplain) and Great Almoner of the King, who was the chief of the Royal Chapel and the domestic prelate of the palace. The “Mayordomo mayor” (High Steward) to the King was in charge of the protocol and organization of the ceremonies or activities presided or attended by the Monarch, as well as the high inspection of the royal buildings and the superior direction of the personnel at the service of the King.
The Monarchy: Limited Power, Constitutional Change
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Spanish monarchy's history
In the 15th century, the marriage of Fernando II El Católico, the King of Aragón, and Isabel I La Católica, the Queen of Castilla y León, united their kingdoms and laid the foundation for a unified Spain. Isabella's daughter, Joanna of Castile, succeeded her as queen, but her rule was marked by instability due to her mental health issues.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon Bonaparte forced Ferdinand VII to abdicate in 1808, and the Bourbons became a symbol of resistance against French rule. However, Ferdinand's rejection of the liberal Spanish Constitution of 1812 and his exclusion of liberals from his cabinet gradually led to a decline in support for the monarchy.
In the 19th century, Spain experienced a period of political upheaval, with the monarchy being deposed in 1869 and the First Spanish Republic established in 1873. However, the monarchy was restored in the form of a constitutional monarchy with the Spanish Constitution of 1978, which declared King Juan Carlos I as the Head of State.
Today, the Spanish monarchy is a parliamentary monarchy, with the reigning monarch, currently King Felipe VI, serving as the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Spanish Armed Forces. The constitution outlines the monarch's role in sanctioning and promulgating laws, summoning and dissolving parliament, and representing the Spanish State domestically and internationally.
Democracy vs Monarchy: Systems of Governance Compared
You may want to see also
The Spanish monarchy's future
The Spanish monarchy, also known as Monarquía Española, is the constitutional form of government in Spain. The current monarch is King Felipe VI, who ascended the throne in 2014 after his father, Juan Carlos I, abdicated. The Spanish monarchy consists of the reigning monarch, their family, and the Royal Household, which aids the sovereign in carrying out their duties and prerogatives.
The Spanish Constitution of 1978 established a constitutional monarchy as the form of government for Spain, following the end of Francisco Franco's dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in 1977. This constitution affirmed the role of the King of Spain as the personification of the Spanish nation and a symbol of its unity and permanence. The monarch is also the commander-in-chief of the Spanish Armed Forces and is responsible for promoting relations with nations in its historical community.
The future of the Spanish monarchy is closely tied to the ongoing evolution of Spain's political landscape and the role of the monarch within it. While the monarchy has historically been a stabilizing force, there have been recent shifts in public opinion and challenges to traditional power structures.
One key aspect of the monarchy's future is the ongoing process of democratic reform and the increasing emphasis on national sovereignty. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 established that national sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people, and it is from them that the monarch derives the power to reign. This principle has been a driving force in Spain's democratic development and has had an impact on the perception of the monarchy's role.
Another factor influencing the monarchy's future is the changing nature of Spanish politics. In recent years, Spain has experienced political polarization, with the monarchy being viewed by some as a unifying force and by others as an outdated institution. The role of the monarch as a moderator and arbitrator of Spanish institutions, as outlined in the constitution, has become increasingly important in this context.
Additionally, the Spanish monarchy has been adapting to modern times by emphasizing its role in promoting cultural, charitable, and social development. Members of the royal family are often patrons of non-profit organizations, and the monarch serves as the honorary president of several cultural and international organizations. This shift towards a more socially-oriented monarchy may be a strategy to maintain relevance and public support in a rapidly changing social and political environment.
In conclusion, the future of the Spanish monarchy is likely to be shaped by the ongoing evolution of Spain's political landscape, the changing nature of the monarchy's role, and the public's perception of its relevance in the 21st century. While the monarchy has historically played a crucial role in Spain's stability and democracy, it will need to continue adapting to the needs and expectations of its people to secure its position in the future.
The Evolution of England's Constitutional Monarchy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Spain is a constitutional monarchy.
The political form of the Spanish State is a parliamentary monarchy.
The monarch is the head of state and the country's highest representative in international affairs. The monarch is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the symbol of national unity. The monarch's duties include sanctioning and promulgating laws, summoning and dissolving the Cortes Generales (the Parliament), and calling elections.
The current monarch of Spain is King Felipe VI, who ascended the throne after his father, Juan Carlos I, abdicated in 2014.
The Spanish monarchy has a long history dating back to the Visigothic kingdom from the 5th century and subsequent successor states. From 1833 until 1939, Spain almost continually had a parliamentary system with a written constitution and a monarchy. After the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Spain was ruled by General Francisco Franco until his death in 1975. In 1978, a new democratic constitution was approved by referendum, re-establishing a constitutional monarchy as the form of government for Spain.
