DEMOCRACY IN SPAIN

UNIT 9

The Spanish Constitution

RIGHTS

• We are all equal.

• We have the right:

• To be free and protected by the law.

• To use public services ( education and health services).

• To choose where to live and travel freely.

• To have a job.

• To vote and elect leaders.

RESPONSABILITIES

We must:

Pay taxes to pay for public services.

Protect the environment.

Respect the law.

Respect other people’s beliefs, culture, language and religion.

Respect public services.

We mustn’t tolerate discrimination or unfair behaviour.

Defines the citizens 'rights and responsibilities. How the State is organised, what type of government has.

Spain has a monarchy, but although the king and queen is the Head of State

It’s Parliament that is responsible for making and approving new laws.

parliament

The Spanish people who are eighteen and over vote for members.

Is called LAS CORTES

Congress: deputies can vote against a law developed by the senators

can make or

develop laws

Senate: senators ensure that Autonomous Communities follow the

Constitution.

government

The party that gets the most votes forms the government.

PRESIDENT is the head of the government.

Ministers are responsible for one area of organisation.

The CONSTITUTIONAL COURT decides if these laws follow the Constitution

THE CONSTITUTION

GOVERNMENT

PRESIDENT

MINISTERS

PARLIAMENT

CONGRESS

DEPUTIES

SENATE

SENATORS

JUSTICE

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

organises the country develops laws proposed by the government

monitors if laws follow the constitution

AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES Each Autonomous Community has its own Parliament, President and government. The Parliament makes

the laws.

There are seventeen Autonomous Communities and two Autonomous cities.

Autonomous Communities are made up of one or more provinces. Each province is then divided into

municipalities.

Each Autonomous Community has its own Statue of Autonomy.

The Statue of Autonomy is the most important law of an Autonomous Community.

• It defines: - the name

- capital

- borders

- symbols of the Autonomous Community: flag, anthem,

and coat of arms.

- how much legal power has.

- institutions: Regional Parliament and Government.

o Parliament is organised in the same way as the national

Parliament.

o Government The president has the most authority and

names the councillors who has a specific responsibility.