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Democracy in Spain Unit 9 SCIENCE

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The Spanish Constitution Some important RIGHTS: We are all equal. Discrimination is forbidden. We have the right to be free and to be protected by the law. We have the right to use public services (education and health) We have the right to choose where to live and travel freely. We have the right to have a job. We have the right to vote and elect leaders.

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The Spanish Constitution Some important responsibilities: We must pay taxes to pay for public services. We must protect the environment. We must respect the law. We must respect other peoples beliefs, culture, language and religion. We must respect public services. We mustnt tolerate discrimination or unfair behaviour.

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How is Spain organised? A constitution is a set of laws which defines how a State is organised, what type of government it has and what rights and responsibilities the citizens have. The Spanish Constitution (1978) is the most important law in the country. Spain has a king who is the HEAD of State (it is a monarchy) but it is Parliament that is responsible for making and approving new laws.

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The Organization of Spain It is divides into three parts: 1.Government 2.Parliament 3.Justice

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The organisation of Spain The Constitution Government (organises the country) Parliament (develops laws proposed by the government) Justice (monitors if laws follow the Constitution)

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General Elections Citizens in Spain who are eighteen and over vote for members of Parliament in general elections every four years. Parliament in Spain is called LAS CORTES and it is made up of two parts: 1.The Congress 2.The Senate

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The Government organises the country Government President Ministers

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The Parliament develops laws proposed by the government Parliament Congress Deputies (members of the congress) Senate Senators (members of the senate)

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Deputies and senators Deputies and senators can make or develop laws. Deputies can vote against a law developed by the senators. Senators represent the Autonomous Communities. Senators ensure that the Autonomous Communities follow the Constitution.

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Deputies Deputies belong to different political parties. The number of deputies each political party has in the congress depends on the number of votes they receive in general elections. Grupos representados: 185 Grupo Popular 110 Grupo Socialista 16 Grupo Cataln (Convergencia i Uni) 11 Grupo IU, ICV-EUiA, CHA: La Izquierda Plural 5 Grupo de Unin Progreso y Democracia 5 Grupo Vasco (EAJ- PNV) 18 Grupo mixto

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The Government The party that gets the most votes forms the government. The President is the head of the government. The Presidents chooses the ministers who will help him/her.

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President and Ministers Each minister is responsible for one area of organisation. The ministers present plans to Parliament, and Parliament votes to approve these plans or not. http://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/gobierno/gabinete/Paginas/index.aspx

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Political parties

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Parliament building in Madrid http://www.congreso.es/portal/page/portal/Congreso/Congreso

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Senate of Spain

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Democracy A democracy means that we have responsibilities as well as rights and that we must obey the law. We already know that Parliament makes and approves laws.

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Justice monitors if laws follow the Constitution The Constitutional Court decides if these laws follow the Constitution. http://www.tribunalconstitucional.es/es/constitucion/Paginas/ConstitucionCastellano.aspx

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Autonomous Communities Spain is divided into seventeen Autonomous Communities and two Autonomous Cities: Ceuta and Melilla. Autonomous Communities are made up of one or more provinces, depending on the size of the Autonomous Community. Each province is then divided into municipalities.

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Autonomous Communities MunicipalitiesProvinces Autonomous Communities

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Each Autonomous Community has a Statute of Autonomy (ESTATUTO DE AUTONOMA) The Spanish Court must approve the Statute for this to become the most important law in an Autonomous Community. An statute of Autonomy is not as powerful as the Constitution. http://serbal.pntic.mec.es/ealg0027/esprovin1e.html

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Autonomous Communities

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Provinces

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The Statute of Autonomy defines: 1.The extent of the Autonomous Communitys territory. 2.The governmental institutions of the Autonomous Community. 3.The Autonomous Communitys symbols: flag, anthem (HIMNO) and coat of arms (ESCUDO) 4.The legal power of the Autonomous Community

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Local Services Issues concerning local services, such as town planning, culture and sports, can be decided by the autonomous government. The national government is responsible for wider issues, such as justice.

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Autonomous Community of Madrid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCjZGAKZIdA

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Institutions of the Autonomous Communities The Parliament of the Autonomous Community is organised in the same way as the national Parliament. There are elections every four years. Citizens in the Autonomous Community who are eighteen and over can vote for representatives. These representatives are called deputies.

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Regional Government Parliament makes the laws and chooses the President of the Autonomous Community. The President has the most authority in the Autonomous Community. The President represents the Autonomous Community and also names the councillors (consejeros) to be part of the REGIONAL GOVERNMENT. Each councillor has a specific responsibility, such as education, health

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http://www.madrid.org/cs/Satellite?pagename=ComunidadMadrid/Home http://www.asambleamadrid.es/ES/default.aspx Ignacio Gonzlez Luca Figar