+

SPAIN

POLITICAL SYSTEM

+ Government

Constitutional monarchy (Juan Carlos I proclaimed King November 22, 1975). Constitution: 1978.

Excecutive

President of government nominated by monarch, subject to approval by democratically elected Congress of Deputies

Legislative

Bicameral Cortes: a 350-seat Congress of Deputies (elected by the d'Hondt system of proportional representation) and a Senate.

Judicial

. Constitutional Tribunal has jurisdiction over constitutional issues. Supreme Tribunal heads system comprising territorial, provincial, regional, and municipal courts.

GEO-POLITICS

Location
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of France
geopoltica de Espaa

Land Area
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of France

geopoltica de Espaa

+ Administrative Division

17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas,)

geopoltica de Espaa

Border
total: 1,917.8 km border countries: Andorra 63.7 km

France 623 km

Gibraltar
Portugal Morocco

1.2 km
1,214 km,

(Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km

geopoltica de Espaa

HISTORY

+ Spanish Civil War The

Elections in 1936 revealed a Spain divided, politically and geographically, between the left and the right wings. Military coup. Occurred on July 17 after the assassination of a right wing leader caused the army to rise. The coup failed as spontaneous resistance from republicans and leftists countered the military; the result was a bloody civil war that lasted three years.

Historia de Espaa

+ Francos Dictatorship

An authoritarian and conservative dictatorship under General Franco ruled over Spain. Francos Spain stayed largely neutral in World War 2, allowing the regime to survive until Francos death in 1975. By its end the regime was increasingly at odds with a Spain which had been culturally transformed.

Historia de Espaa

Democratization
After Francos death in November 1975 he was succeeded, in 1969, by Juan Carlos, an heir to the vacant throne. The new king was committed to democracy and careful negotiation, as well as the presence of a modern society looking for freedom, allowed a referendum on political reform, followed by a new constitution which was approved by 88% in 1978.

Historia de Espaa

Current Situation

Constitution
approved

by legislature 31 October 1978; passed by referendum 6 December 1978; signed by the king 27 December 1978

Situacin Act de Espaa

Chief of State

King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975) Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968

Heir

Situacin Act de Espaa

+ Head of Government
President of the Government
Mariano

Rajoy (since December 2011)

Vice President
Soraya

Saenz de Santamaria (since December 2011)

Situacin Act de Espaa