Editing Spain (section)

== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Spain}}
{{See also|Spanish Constitution of 1978}}
{{multiple image
|align = right
|total_width = 300
|image1 = Felipe VI in 2023.jpg
|caption1 = [[Felipe VI]],<br>[[Monarchy of Spain|King of Spain]]
|image2 = Pedro Sánchez in 2023.jpg
|caption2 = [[Pedro Sánchez]],<br>[[Prime Minister of Spain]]
}}
The constitutional history of Spain dates back to the constitution of 1812. In June 1976, Spain's new King [[Juan Carlos]] dismissed [[Carlos Arias Navarro]] and appointed the reformer [[Adolfo Suárez]] as Prime Minister.<ref name="From Dictatorship to Democracy">John Hooper, ''The New Spaniards'', 2001, ''From Dictatorship to Democracy''</ref><ref name="Spain's fast-living king turns 70">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7171971.stm Spain's fast-living king turns 70] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106025042/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7171971.stm|date=6 January 2010 }} BBC News Friday, 4 January 2008 Extracted 18 June 2009</ref> The resulting [[1977 Spanish general election|general election in 1977]] convened the ''[[Constituent Cortes]]'' (the Spanish Parliament, in its capacity as a constitutional assembly) for the purpose of drafting and approving the constitution of 1978.{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978}} After a national referendum on 6 December 1978, 88% of voters approved of the new constitution. As a result, Spain successfully transitioned from a [[Francoist Spain|one-party personalist dictatorship]] to a [[multiparty]] [[parliamentary democracy]] composed of 17 [[autonomous communities of Spain|autonomous communities]] and two [[autonomous communities of Spain#Autonomous cities|autonomous cities]]. These regions enjoy varying degrees of autonomy thanks to the Spanish Constitution, which nevertheless explicitly states the indivisible unity of the Spanish nation.

=== Governance ===
====The Crown====
{{quote box| width=250px| border=1px| align=left| bgcolor=#F5F5DC| quote=The independence of the Crown, its political neutrality and its wish to embrace and reconcile the different ideological standpoints enable it to contribute to the stability of our political system, facilitating a balance with the other constitutional and territorial bodies, promoting the orderly functioning of the State and providing a channel for cohesion among Spaniards.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.casareal.es/EN/Paginas/home.aspx|title=HM The King's address to the Cortes Generales on the occasion of his accession|date=19 June 2014|publisher=Casa de Su Majestad El Rey}}</ref>| salign=right| source=[[Felipe VI|King Felipe VI]], 2014}}
The [[Constitution of Spain|Spanish Constitution]] provides for a [[separation of powers]] between five [[branches of government]], which it refers to as "basic State institutions".{{Efn|Those nationwide institutions are the Crown, the Cortes Generales, the Government, the Judiciary, and the Constitutional Tribunal.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s548|title=Section 86, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="Institutions of Spain">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/espana/spanishinstitutions/Paginas/index.aspx|title=Institutions of Spain|publisher=La Moncloa, the Office of the President of the Government|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> Foremost amongst these institutions is the Crown (''La Corona''), the symbol of the Spanish state and its permanence.<ref name="Constitute Project">{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s318|title=Section 56 (1), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> Spain's "parliamentary monarchy" is a [[constitutional monarchy|constitutional]] one whereby the reigning [[Monarchy of Spain|king or queen]] is the [[Legal personality|living embodiment]] of the Crown and thus [[head of state]].{{Efn|Most [[List of Spanish monarchs|Spanish monarchs]] have been kings. However, a [[queen regnant]] – while uncommon – is possible due to Spain's adherence to [[male-preference primogeniture]]. [[Leonor, Princess of Asturias]], will be Spain's first queen regnant since [[Isabella II]], who reigned from 1833 to 1868, should she someday succeed her father [[Felipe VI]] as expected.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s11|title=Section 1 (3), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="Constitute Project"/><ref name="Shelley2015">{{cite book|author=Shelley, Fred M.|title=Governments around the World: From Democracies to Theocracies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wui6CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA197|date=2015|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-4408-3813-2|page=197|access-date=2 October 2018|archive-date=12 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912033901/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wui6CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA197|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike in some other constitutional monarchies however, namely the likes of [[Monarchy of Belgium|Belgium]], [[Monarchy of Denmark|Denmark]], [[Monarchy of Luxembourg|Luxembourg]], [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|The Netherlands]], [[Monarchy of Norway|Norway]], or indeed the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]], the monarch is not the fount of [[Sovereignty|national sovereignty]] or even the ''nominal'' [[Executive authority|chief executive]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Belgium_2014#s141|title=Article 37, Constitution of the Kingdom of Belgium|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Denmark_1953#s1|title=Article 3, Constitution Act of the Kingdom of Denmark|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Luxembourg_2009#s110|title=Article 33, Constitution of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Netherlands_2008#s210|title=Article 42, Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Norway_2016#s7|title=Article 3, Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/the-constitutional-role-and-working-of-the-monarchy-in-the-united |title=The Constitutional Role and Working of the Monarchy in the United Kingdom |author=Robert Blackburn |journal=Jahrbuch des Öffentlichen Rechts der Gegenwart |series=Neue Folge |year=2022 |volume=70 |pages=181–201 |editor=O. Lepsius |editor2=A. Nußberger |editor3=C. Schönberger |editor4=C. Waldhoff |editor5=C. Walter |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Mohr Siebeck |doi=10.1628/joer-2022-0009 |s2cid=257830288 |publication-date=2 June 2022 |access-date=19 June 2023 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619174428/https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/the-constitutional-role-and-working-of-the-monarchy-in-the-united |url-status=live }}</ref> Rather, the Crown, as an institution, "...arbitrates and moderates the regular functioning of the institutions..." of the Spanish state.<ref name="Constitute Project"/> As such, the monarch [[Arbitration|resolves disputes]] between the disparate branches, mediates [[Constitutional crisis|constitutional crises]], and prevents [[Abuse of power|abuses of power]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sodré |first=Nelson Werneck |title=Panorama do Segundo Império |edition=2 |location=Rio de Janeiro |publisher=Graphia |year=2004|pages=91 |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Torres |first=João Camilo de Oliveira |url=https://bd.camara.leg.br/bd/bitstream/handle/bdcamara/36281/democracia_coroada_camilo.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |title=A democracia coroada |edition= |location=Brasília |publisher=Câmara dos Deputados |year=2017|pages=105–106 |isbn=978-85-402-0667-0 |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sousa |first=Galvão |title=História do Direito Político Brasileiro |edition=2 |location=São Paulo |publisher=Saraiva |year=1962|pages=125–126 |language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Faoro |first=Raymundo |title=Os Donos do Poder |location= |publisher=Globo |year=2001 |url=http://www.usp.br/cje/anexos/pierre/FAORORaymundoOsDonosdoPoder.pdf|pages=343–344 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804114059/http://www.usp.br/cje/anexos/pierre/FAORORaymundoOsDonosdoPoder.pdf |archive-date=4 August 2016 |language=pt}}</ref>

In these respects, the Crown constitutes a fifth [[Moderating power (Empire of Brazil)|moderating branch]] that does not make [[public policy]] or administer [[public services]], functions which rightfully rest with Spain's duly elected legislatures and governments at both the national and regional level. Instead, the Crown personifies the democratic Spanish state, sanctions legitimate authority, ensures the legality of means, and guarantees the execution of the public will.<ref>{{cite speech|last=McCaughey|first=J. Davis|title=The Crown at State Level|event=Hugo Wolfsohn Memorial Lecture|date=1993 |location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|publisher=La Trobe University|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/veiled-sceptre/rejection-of-advice-to-act-illegally-or-unconstitutionally/86BBD8142954446646630418C1291A12|access-date=15 April 2024|language=Australian English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|editor=Arthur Bousfield & Gary Toffoli|title=Royal Observations: Canadians and Royalty|publisher=Dundurn Press|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada|year=1991}}</ref> Put another way, the monarch fosters national unity at home, represents Spaniards abroad (especially with regard to [[Organization of Ibero-American States|nations of their historical community]]), facilitates the orderly operation and continuity of the [[machinery of government|Spanish government]], defends [[representative democracy]], and upholds the [[rule of law]].<ref name="Institutions of Spain"/> In other words, the Crown is the guardian of the Spanish constitution and of the rights and freedoms of all Spaniards.<ref name="Walther L. Bernecker 65–84">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/260997|title=Monarchy and Democracy: The Political Role of King Juan Carlos in the Spanish Transicion|author=Walther L. Bernecker|journal=Journal of Contemporary History|volume=33|issue=1|date=January 1998|pages=65–84|doi=10.1177/003200949803300104 |jstor=260997 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>{{Efn|Former king [[Juan Carlos I]]'s intervention and foiling of the [[1981 Spanish coup attempt]] is but one example of the Crown exercising its influence as the moderating branch to defend democracy and uphold the rule of law.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2019/0604/The-Spanish-king-who-set-then-saved-democracy|title=The Spanish king who set, then saved, democracy
|author=The Monitor's Editorial Board|magazine=Christian Science Monitor
|publisher=Christian Science Monitor|publication-date=4 June 2019|access-date=17 August 2024}}</ref>}} This stabilising role is in keeping with the monarch's [[Oath of office|solemn oath]] upon [[Enthronement#Spain|accession]] "...to faithfully carry out [my] duties, to obey the Constitution and the laws and ensure that they are obeyed, and to respect the rights of citizens and the Self-governing Communities."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s354|title=Section 61 (1), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>

A number of constitutional powers, duties, rights, responsibilities, and functions are assigned to the monarch in his or her capacity as head of state. However, the Crown enjoys [[inviolability]] in the performance of these [[Royal prerogative#Spain|prerogatives]] and [[Sovereign immunity|cannot be prosecuted]] in the very courts which administer justice in its name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s318|title=Section 56 (3), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> For this reason, every official act done by the monarch requires the [[countersignature]] of the [[Prime Minister of Spain|prime minister]] or, when appropriate, the [[president of the Congress of Deputies]] to have the force of law. The countersigning procedure or ''refrendo'' in turn transfers political and legal liability for the royal prerogative to the attesting parties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s388|title=Section 64, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> This provision does not apply to the [[Royal Household of Spain|Royal Household]], over which the monarch enjoys absolute control and supervision, or to membership in the [[Order of the Golden Fleece]], which is a [[dynastic order]] in the personal gift of the [[Spanish royal family|House of Bourbon-Anjou]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s393|title=Section 65, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>

The royal prerogatives may be classified by whether they are ministerial functions or reserve powers. Ministerial functions are those royal prerogatives that are, pursuant to the [[constitutional convention (political custom)|convention]] established by [[Juan Carlos I]], performed by the monarch after soliciting the [[Advice (constitutional law)|advice]] of the Government, the Congress of Deputies, the Senate, the General Council of the Judiciary, or the Constitutional Tribunal, as the case may be. On the other hand, the [[reserve powers]] of the Crown are those royal prerogatives which are exercised in the monarch's personal discretion.<ref name="Walther L. Bernecker 65–84"/> Most of the Crown's royal prerogatives are ministerial in practice, meaning the monarch has no discretion in their execution and primarily performs them as a matter of state ceremonial. Nevertheless, when performing said ministerial functions, the monarch has the right to be consulted before acting on advice, the right to encourage a particular course of policy or action, and the right to warn the responsible constitutional authorities against the same. Those ministerial functions are as follows:
#[[Royal assent|Sanction]] and [[Promulgation|promulgate]] bills duly passed by the Cortes Generales, making them [[Law of Spain|laws]]. The Spanish Constitution mandates the monarch grant royal assent to each bill within fifteen days of its passage; he or she does not have a right to [[veto]] legislation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s359|title=Section 62 (a), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s576|title=Section 91, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#[[Writ of summons|Summon]] the Cortes Generales into [[Legislative session|session]] following a general election, [[Dissolution of parliament|dissolve]] the same upon the expiration of its four-year term, and [[Proclamation|proclaim]] the [[Elections in Spain|election]] of the next Cortes. These functions are performed in accordance with the strictures of the Spanish Constitution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s359|title=Section 62 (b), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s414|title=Section 68 (4), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s428|title=Section 69 (6), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s715|title=Section 116 (5), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s1191|title=Section 168, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Appoint and dismiss [[Spanish government departments|ministers of state]] on the advice of the prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s359|title=Section 62 (e), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Appoint the president of the [[Supreme Court of Spain|Supreme Court]] on the advice of the General Council of the Judiciary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s763|title=Section 123 (2), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Appoint the president of the [[Constitutional Court of Spain|Constitutional Tribunal]] from among its members, on the advice of the full bench, for a term of three years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s1148|title=Section 160, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Appoint the [[Spanish Attorney General|Fiscal General]], who leads the [[Prosecution Ministry]], on the advice of the Government. Before tendering advice, the Government is required to consult the General Council of the Judiciary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s768|title=Section 124 (4), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Appoint the [[President (Autonomous Community of Spain)|presidents]] of the [[Autonomous communities of Spain|autonomous communities]] as elected by their respective parliaments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s1082|title=Section 152 (1), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Issue [[decrees]] approved in the Council of Ministers, confer [[General State Administration|civil service]] and [[Commissioned officer|military appointments]], and award [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Spain|honours]] and [[Spanish nobility|distinctions]] in the gift of the state. These functions are performed on the advice of the prime minister or another minister designated thereby.{{Efn|The Spanish state honours system comprises the [[Order of Charles III]], the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic]], the [[Order of Civil Merit]], the [[Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise]], the [[Order of Saint Raymond of Peñafort]], and the [[Order of Constitutional Merit]], among other orders, decorations and medals. The prime minister is [[ex officio]] chancellor of the Order of Charles III. On the other hand, the ministers of [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spain)|foreign affairs]], [[Ministry of Education (Spain)|education]], and [[Ministry of Justice (Spain)|justice]] are the corresponding chancellors for the orders of Isabella the Catholic and of Civil Merit, the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise, and the orders of Saint Raymond of Peñafort and of Constitutional Merit, respectively.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s359|title=Section 62 (f), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Exercise [[Commander-in-chief|supreme command and control]] over the [[Spanish Armed Forces|Armed Forces]], on the advice of the prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s359|title=Section 62 (h), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#[[Declaration of war|Declare war]] and [[Peace treaty|make peace]] on the advice of the prime minister and with the prior authorization of the Cortes Generales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s381|title=Section 63 (3), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#[[Ratification|Ratify]] [[treaties]], on the advice of the prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s381|title=Section 63 (2), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Accredit Spanish [[ambassadors]] and [[Envoy (title)|ministers]] to foreign states and [[Agrement|receive]] the [[Letters of credence|credentials]] of [[Foreign relations of Spain|foreign]] [[Diplomatic rank|diplomats]] to Spain, on the advice of the prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s381|title=Section 63 (1), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Exercise the [[Pardon|right of clemency]], but without the authority to grant [[Amnesty|general pardons]], on the advice of the prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s359|title=Section 62 (i), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>
#Patronise the Royal Academies.{{Efn|They being the [[Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando]], the [[Real Academia de Ciencias Morales y Políticas]], the [[Royal Academy of Engineering of Spain]], the [[Real Academia de la Historia]], the [[Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation]], the [[Royal Academy of Pharmacy]], the [[Royal Spanish Academy]], and the [[Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences]]}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s359|title=Section 62 (j), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>

The aforesaid limitations do not apply to the exercise of the Crown's reserve powers, which may be invoked by the monarch when [[Doctrine of necessity|necessary]] to maintain the continuity and stability of state institutions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.casareal.es/EN/corona/Paginas/la-corona-hoy_papel-jefe.aspx|title=Functions of the Head of State|publisher=Royal Household of Spain|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> For example, the monarch has the right to be kept informed on affairs of state through regular [[Audience (meeting)|audience]]s with the Government. For this purpose, the monarch may preside at any time over meetings of the Council of Ministers, but only when requested by the prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s1082|title=Section 62 (g), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> Moreover, the monarch may prematurely dissolve the Congress of Deputies, the Senate, or both houses of the Cortes in their entirety before the expiration of their four-year term and, in consequence thereof, concurrently call for [[snap election]]s. The monarch exercises this prerogative on the request of the prime minister, after the matter has been discussed by the Council of Ministers. The monarch may choose to accept or refuse the request.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s708|title=Section 115, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> The monarch may also order national referendums on the request of the prime minister, but only with the prior authorisation of the Cortes Generales. Again, the monarch may choose to accept or refuse the prime minister's request.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s578|title=Section 92, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>

The Crown's reserve powers further extend into [[Judicial interpretation|constitutional interpretation]] and the [[administration of justice]]. The monarch appoints the 20 members of the [[General Council of the Judiciary]]. Of these counselors, twelve are nominated by the supreme, appellate and trial courts, four are nominated by the Congress of Deputies by a majority of three-fifths of its members, and four are nominated by the Senate with the same majority. The monarch may choose to accept or refuse any nomination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s756|title=Section 122 (3), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> In a similar vein, the monarch appoints the twelve magistrates of the [[Constitutional Court of Spain|Constitutional Tribunal]]. Of these magistrates, four magistrates are nominated by the Congress of Deputies by a majority of three-fifths of its members, four magistrates are nominated by the Senate with the same majority, two magistrates are nominated by the Government, and two magistrates are nominated by the General Council of the Judiciary. The monarch may choose to accept or refuse any nomination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s1136|title=Section 159 (1), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>

However, it is the monarch's reserve powers concerning [[Government formation]] that are perhaps the most frequently exercised. The monarch nominates a candidate for [[Prime Minister of Spain|prime minister]] and, as the case may be, appoints or removes him or her from office based on the prime minister's ability to maintain the [[Motions of no confidence in Spain|confidence]] of the [[Congress of Deputies]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s359|title=Section 62 (d), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> If the Congress of Deputies fails to give its confidence to a new Government within two months, and is thus incapable of governing as a result of parliamentary gridlock, the monarch may dissolve the Cortes Generales and call for fresh elections. The monarch makes use of these reserve powers in his own deliberative judgment after consulting the president of the Congress of Deputies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s625|title=Section 99, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>

====Cortes Generales====
[[File:Solemne apertura de la XIV Legislatura 04.jpg|thumb|The hemicycle of the [[Congress of Deputies]]]]
[[Legislative branch|Legislative authority]] vests in the {{Lang|es|[[Cortes Generales]]}} ({{langx|en|Spanish Parliament|lit=General Courts}}), a democratically elected [[bicameral parliament]] that serves as the supreme representative body of the Spanish people. Aside from the Crown, it is the only basic State institution that enjoys inviolability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s400|title=Section 66, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> It comprises the [[Congress of Deputies]] (''Congreso de los Diputados''), a [[lower house]] with 350 deputies, and the [[Spanish Senate|Senate]] (''Senado''), an [[upper house]] with 259 senators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s414|title=Section 68, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s428|title=Section 69, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>  Deputies are elected by [[election|popular vote]] on [[closed list]]s via [[proportional representation]] to serve four-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congreso.es/en/cem/func|title=Functions|publisher=Congress of Deputies of Spain|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> On the other hand, 208 senators are directly elected by popular vote using a [[limited voting]] method, with the remaining 51 senators appointed by the [[List of Spanish regional legislatures|regional legislatures]] to also serve four-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senado.es/web/conocersenado/temasclave/composicionsenadoelecciones/index.html|title=Composition of the Senate|publisher=Senate of Spain|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>

====Government====
[[Executive branch|Executive authority]] rests with the [[Government of Spain|Government]] (''Gobierno de España''), which is [[Cabinet collective responsibility|collectively responsible]] to the Congress of Deputies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s614|title=Section 97, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s677|title=Part V. Relations Between the Government and the Cortes Generales, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> It consists of the [[Prime Minister of Spain|prime minister]], one or more [[Deputy Prime Minister of Spain|deputy prime ministers]], and the various [[Spanish government departments|ministers of state]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s616|title=Section 98 (1), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> These characters together constitute the [[Council of Ministers of Spain|Council of Ministers]] which, as Spain's [[Central government|central executive authority]], conducts the business of the Government and administers the [[General State Administration|civil service]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s614|title=Section 97, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> The Government remains in office so long as it can maintain the [[Motions of no confidence in Spain|confidence]] of the Congress of Deputies.

The prime minister, as [[head of government]], enjoys primacy over the other ministers by virtue of his or her ability to [[Advice (constitutional law)|advise]] the monarch as to their appointment and dismissal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s636|title=Section 100, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> Moreover, the prime minister has plenary authority conferred by the Spanish Constitution to direct and coordinate the Government's policies and administrative actions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s616|title=Section 98 (2), Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref> The Spanish monarch [[Prime Minister of Spain#Royal nomination and congressional confirmation|nominates]] the prime minister after consulting representatives from the different parliamentary groups and in turn formally appoints him or her to office upon a vote of investiture in the Congress of Deputies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Spain_2011#s625|title=Section 99, Spanish Constitution|publisher=Constitute Project|access-date=11 April 2024}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|History of the territorial organization of Spain|Political divisions of Spain}}

==== Autonomous communities ====
{{Main|Autonomous communities of Spain}}
{{See also|Nationalities and regions of Spain}}
{{Autonomous regions of Spain|float=right}}

Spain's autonomous communities are the first level administrative divisions of the country. They were created after the current constitution came into effect (in 1978) in recognition of the right to self-government of the "[[nationalities and regions of Spain|''nationalities'' and regions of Spain]]".{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 143}} The autonomous communities were to comprise adjacent provinces with common historical, cultural, and economic traits. This territorial organisation, based on [[devolution]], is known in Spain as the "State of Autonomies" (''Estado de las Autonomías''). The basic institutional law of each autonomous community is the [[Statute of Autonomy]]. The Statutes of Autonomy establish the name of the community according to its historical and contemporary identity, the limits of its territories, the name and organisation of the institutions of government and the rights they enjoy according to the constitution.{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 147}} This ongoing process of devolution means that, while officially a [[unitary state]], Spain is nevertheless one of the most [[decentralised]] countries in Europe, along with [[federation]]s like [[Belgium]], [[Germany]], and [[Switzerland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/06/18/catalonia.vote/index.html|publisher=CNN|title=Catalonians vote for more autonomy|date=18 June 2006|access-date=13 August 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604012034/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/06/18/catalonia.vote/index.html|archive-date=4 June 2008}} See also: {{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,2340,en_2649_201185_34578361_1_1_1_1,00.html|title=Economic Survey: Spain 2005|access-date=13 August 2008|publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417005653/http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,2340,en_2649_201185_34578361_1_1_1_1,00.html|archive-date=17 April 2008}} and {{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/topics/spain?folder=Profile-FactSheet|title=Country Briefings: Spain|access-date=9 August 2008|newspaper=The Economist|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014000013/http://www.economist.com/topics/spain?folder=Profile-FactSheet|archive-date=14 October 2012}} and {{cite web|url=http://www1.worldbank.org/wbiep/decentralization/Swiss%20Expertise/Muralt.pdf|title=Swiss Experience With Decentralized Government|access-date=13 August 2008|publisher=The World Bank|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819191608/http://www1.worldbank.org/wbiep/decentralization/Swiss%20Expertise/Muralt.pdf|archive-date=19 August 2008}}</ref>

Catalonia, Galicia and the Basque Country, which identified themselves as ''nationalities'', were granted self-government through a rapid process. Andalusia also identified itself as a nationality in its first Statute of Autonomy, even though it followed the longer process stipulated in the constitution for the rest of the country. Progressively, other communities in revisions to their Statutes of Autonomy have also taken that denomination in accordance with their historical and modern identities, such as the Valencian Community,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trobat.com/recursos/estatut-valencia.pdf|title=Estatut|language=es|access-date=20 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326021746/http://www.trobat.com/recursos/estatut-valencia.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2009}}</ref> the Canary Islands,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gobiernodecanarias.org/tuestatuto/novedades.html#pre|title=Nuevo Estatuto de Autonomía de Canarias|publisher=.gobiernodecanarias.org|access-date=30 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120074716/http://www2.gobiernodecanarias.org/tuestatuto/novedades.html|archive-date=20 January 2011}}</ref> the Balearic Islands,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caib.es/webcaib/govern_illes/estatut_autonomia/doc/estatut2007.ca.pdf|title=BOCAe32.QXD|language=ca|access-date=20 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711090828/http://www.caib.es/webcaib/govern_illes/estatut_autonomia/doc/estatut2007.ca.pdf|archive-date=11 July 2009}}</ref> and Aragon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://narros.congreso.es/constitucion/estatutos/estatutos.jsp?com=64&tipo=2&ini=1&fin=10&ini_sub=1&fin_sub=1|title=Estatuto de Autonomía de Aragón|publisher=Narros.congreso.es|access-date=20 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211225055/http://narros.congreso.es/constitucion/estatutos/estatutos.jsp?com=64&tipo=2&ini=1&fin=10&ini_sub=1&fin_sub=1|archive-date=11 December 2009 }}</ref>

The autonomous communities have wide legislative and executive autonomy, with their own elected parliaments and governments as well as their own dedicated [[Public Administration of Spain|public administrations]]. The distribution of powers may be different for every community, as laid out in their Statutes of Autonomy, since devolution was intended to be asymmetrical. For instance, only two communities—the Basque Country and Navarre—have full fiscal autonomy based on ancient [[fuero|foral]] provisions. Nevertheless, each autonomous community is responsible for healthcare and education, among other public services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/spain/main-executive-and-legislative-bodies|title=Spain: Main executive and legislative bodies|publisher=European Commission|access-date=16 April 2024}}</ref> Beyond these competencies, the ''nationalities''—[[Andalusia]], the [[Pais Vasco|Basque Country]], [[Catalonia]], and [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]]—were also devolved more powers than the rest of the communities, among them the ability of the regional president to dissolve the parliament and call for elections at any time. In addition, the Basque Country, the [[Canary Islands]], Catalonia, and [[Navarre]] each have autonomous police corps of their own: ''[[Ertzaintza]]'', ''[[Policía Canaria]]'', ''[[Mossos d'Esquadra]]'', and ''[[Policía Foral]]'' respectively. Other communities have more limited forces or none at all, like the ''Policía Autónoma Andaluza'' in [[Andalusia]] or [[BESCAM]] in Madrid.<ref name="cartujo">{{cite web|url=http://www.cartujo.org/pag(a9).htm|title=Unidad de Policía de la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía|publisher=Cartujo.org|access-date=23 October 2007|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107145807/http://www.cartujo.org/pag(a9).htm|archive-date=7 November 2007}}</ref>

==== Provinces and municipalities ====
{{Main|Local government in Spain|Provinces of Spain|Municipalities of Spain}}

Autonomous communities are divided into [[Provinces of Spain|provinces]], which served as their territorial building blocks. In turn, provinces are divided into [[municipalities of Spain|municipalities]]. The existence of both the provinces and the municipalities is guaranteed and protected by the constitution, not necessarily by the Statutes of Autonomy themselves. Municipalities are granted autonomy to manage their internal affairs, and provinces are the territorial divisions designed to carry out the activities of the State.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071026020151/http://www.constitucion.es/constitucion/lenguas/ingles.html#8 Articles 140 and 141]. Spanish Constitution of 1978</ref>

The current provincial division structure is based—with minor changes—on the [[1833 territorial division of Spain|1833 territorial division]] by [[Javier de Burgos]], and in all, the Spanish territory is divided into 50 provinces. The communities of Asturias, Cantabria, La Rioja, the Balearic Islands, Madrid, Murcia and Navarre are the only communities that comprise a single province, which is coextensive with the community itself. In these cases, the administrative institutions of the province are replaced by the governmental institutions of the community.

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Spain}}
[[File:Predsednik vlade na 3. zasedanju EPS in neformalnem zasedanju Evropskega sveta v Granadi v Španiji (53236972766).jpg|thumb|[[3rd European Political Community Summit]], [[Court of the Lions]], [[Alhambra]], [[Granada]].]]
[[File:Barcelona_Palau_Reial_de_Pedralbes_(51135781861).jpg|thumb|[[Royal Palace of Pedralbes]] in Barcelona, headquarters of the [[Union for the Mediterranean]]]]

After the return of democracy following the death of [[Francisco Franco|Franco]] in 1975, Spain's [[foreign policy]] priorities were to break out of the diplomatic isolation of the [[Spain under Franco|Franco years]] and expand [[diplomatic relations]], enter the [[European Union|European Community]], and define security relations with the West.

As a member of [[NATO]] since 1982, Spain has established itself as a participant in multilateral international security activities. Spain's EU membership represents an important part of its foreign policy. Even on many international issues beyond western Europe, Spain prefers to coordinate its efforts with its EU partners through the European political co-operation mechanisms.{{vague|date=March 2015}}

Spain has maintained its special relations with [[Hispanic America]] and the [[Philippines]]. Its policy emphasises the concept of an [[Ibero-America]]n community, essentially the renewal of the concept of ''"[[Hispanidad]]"'' or ''"[[Hispanism]]o"'', as it is often referred to in English, which has sought to link the Iberian Peninsula with Hispanic America through language, commerce, history and culture. It is fundamentally "based on shared values and the recovery of democracy."<ref>Garcia Cantalapiedra, David, and Ramon Pacheco Pardo, ''Contemporary Spanish Foreign Policy'' (Routledge, 2014). Pg. 126</ref>

The country is involved in a number of [[Foreign relations of Spain#Disputes|territorial disputes]]. [[Disputed status of Gibraltar|Spain claims Gibraltar]], an [[British Overseas Territories|Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom]], in the southernmost part of the Iberian Peninsula.<ref>{{cite web

|url = http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/218/33/IMG/NR021833.pdf?OpenElement
|title = Resolution 2070: Question of Gibraltar
|date = 16 December 1965
|format = PDF
|publisher = United Nations
|access-date = 19 February 2010
|url-status=dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110503183726/http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/218/33/IMG/NR021833.pdf?OpenElement
|archive-date = 3 May 2011
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/005/34/IMG/NR000534.pdf?OpenElement
|title=Resolution 2231: Question of Gibraltar
|date=20 December 1966
|format=PDF
|publisher=United Nations
|access-date=19 February 2010
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503183729/http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/005/34/IMG/NR000534.pdf?OpenElement
|archive-date=3 May 2011
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Londres/es/MenuPpal/Gibraltar/Documents/000.001.002.003%20Título.%20Prefacio.Índice.%20Informe%20(27.02.08).doc|title=La cuestión de Gibraltar|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain|date=January 2008|access-date=3 January 2010|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529192351/http://www.maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Londres/es/MenuPpal/Gibraltar/Documents/000.001.002.003%20T%C3%ADtulo.%20Prefacio.%C3%8Dndice.%20Informe%20%2827.02.08%29.doc|archive-date=29 May 2009 }}</ref> Another dispute surrounds the [[Savage Islands]]; Spain claims that they are rocks rather than islands, and therefore does not accept the Portuguese [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] (200 nautical miles) generated by the islands.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/prt44_09/esp_re_prt2013.pdf|title=Spain's letter to the UN|publisher=UN|date=September 2013|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525185334/http://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/prt44_09/esp_re_prt2013.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref><ref>[http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/spain-disputes-portugal-islands/29269 "Spain disputes Portugal islands"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908225016/http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/spain-disputes-portugal-islands/29269|date=8 September 2013 }} ''[[The Portugal News]]''. Retrieved 9 September 2013.</ref> Spain claims sovereignty over the [[Perejil Island]], a small, uninhabited rocky [[islet]] located in the South shore of the [[Strait of Gibraltar]]; it was the subject of an armed incident between Spain and Morocco in 2002. Morocco claims the Spanish cities of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]] and the ''[[plazas de soberanía]]'' islets off the northern coast of Africa. Portugal does not recognise Spain's sovereignty over the territory of [[Olivenza]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title=La cuestión de Olivenza, a la luz del Derecho internacional público|last=Fernández Liesa|first=Carlos R.|publisher=Ayuntamiento de Olivenza|year=2004|pages=234–235|journal=Encuentros: Revista luso-española de investigadores en Ciencias humanas y sociales. Separatas|issue=4|format=PDF|url=http://e-archivo.uc3m.es/bitstream/handle/10016/17476/cuestion_fernandez_E_2004.pdf?sequence=1|issn=1138-6622|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829092427/http://e-archivo.uc3m.es/bitstream/handle/10016/17476/cuestion_fernandez_E_2004.pdf?sequence=1|archive-date=29 August 2014}}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{Main|Spanish Armed Forces}}
[[File:Spanish_amphibious_assault_ship_Juan_Carlos_I_(L-61)_underway_in_the_Adriatic_Sea,_22_February_2023_(230222-N-MW880-1248).JPG|thumb|[[Amphibious assault ship]]-[[aircraft carrier]] {{ship|Spanish ship|Juan Carlos I||2}}]]
The [[Spanish Armed Forces]] are divided into three branches: [[Spanish Army|Army (''Ejército de Tierra'')]]; [[Spanish Navy|Navy (''Armada'')]]; and [[Spanish Air and Space Force|Air and Space Force (''Ejército del Aire y del Espacio'')]].{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 8}}
[[File:President Joe Biden (front row, fifth from right) and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leaders at the NATO Summit in Madrid, June 29–30, 2022 - IMG 2325.jpg|thumb|World leaders at the [[2022 Madrid summit|NATO Summit in Madrid]], 29 June 2022]]
The armed forces of Spain are known as the Spanish Armed Forces (''Fuerzas Armadas Españolas''). Their [[commander-in-chief]] is the King of Spain, [[Felipe VI of Spain|Felipe VI]].{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=Article 62}} The next military authorities in line are the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence. The fourth military authority of the State is the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Spain)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] (JEMAD).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20161106/411623401633/el-jefe-del-estado-mayor-del-ejercito-de-tierra-y-11-tenientes-generales-aspiran-a-jemad.html|website=[[La Vanguardia]]|date=6 November 2016|title=El jefe del Estado Mayor del Ejército de Tierra y 11 tenientes generales aspiran a JEMAD|access-date=1 February 2020|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201044144/https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20161106/411623401633/el-jefe-del-estado-mayor-del-ejercito-de-tierra-y-11-tenientes-generales-aspiran-a-jemad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Defence Staff (Spain)|Defence Staff]] (''Estado Mayor de la Defensa'') assists the JEMAD as auxiliary body.

The Spanish armed forces are a professional force with a strength in 2017 of 121,900 active personnel and 4,770 reserve personnel. The country also has the 77,000 strong [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Civil Guard]] which comes under the control of the Ministry of defense in times of a national emergency. The Spanish defense budget is 5.71 billion euros (US$7.2 billion) a 1% increase for 2015. The increase comes because of security concerns in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/43968/update-spain-to-increase-defence-spending|title=Update: Spain to increase defence spending|work=janes.com|access-date=8 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073610/http://www.janes.com/article/43968/update-spain-to-increase-defence-spending|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Military conscription was suppressed in 2001.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/politica/20160309/supresion-mili-servicio-militar-2001-aniversario-4962193|journal=[[El Periódico de Catalunya|El Periódico]]|title=Señores, se acabó la mili|date=9 March 2016|first=Rafa|last=Julve|access-date=1 February 2020|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201043203/https://www.elperiodico.com/es/politica/20160309/supresion-mili-servicio-militar-2001-aniversario-4962193|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the 2024 [[Global Peace Index]], Spain is the 23rd most peaceful country in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf|title=2024 Global Peace Index}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Spain}}
{{See also|LGBT rights in Spain}}
The [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]] "protect all Spaniards and all the peoples of Spain in the exercise of human rights, their cultures and traditions, languages and institutions".{{sfn|Spanish Constitution|1978|loc=preamble}}

According to [[Amnesty International]] (AI), government investigations of alleged police abuses are often lengthy and punishments were light.<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/spain/report-spain Spain 2015/2016] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808081615/https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/spain/report-spain/|date=8 August 2016 }} Amnesty International. Retrieved 22 June 2016.</ref> Violence against women was a problem, which the Government took steps to address.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://justiciadegenero.com/en/analysis-of-8-years-of-gender-violence-law-in-spain/|title=Analysis of 8 years of Gender Violence Law in Spain {{!}} Gender violence and justice|date=4 March 2015|publisher=justiciadegenero.com|access-date=9 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525185333/http://justiciadegenero.com/en/analysis-of-8-years-of-gender-violence-law-in-spain/|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/11/25/inenglish/1448449401_599926.html|title=The successes and failures of Spain's fight against domestic abuse|last=Rincón|first=Reyes|date=25 November 2015|work=EL PAÍS|access-date=9 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525190421/http://elpais.com/elpais/2015/11/25/inenglish/1448449401_599926.html|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>

Spain provides one of the highest degrees of liberty in the world for its [[LGBT]] community. Among the countries studied by [[Pew Research Center|Pew Research]] in 2013, Spain is rated first in acceptance of homosexuality, with 88% of those surveyed saying that homosexuality should be accepted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/global-acceptance-of-homosexuality/|title=Global Acceptance of Homosexuality|date=4 June 2013|publisher=[[Pew Research Center]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110051728/http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/global-acceptance-of-homosexuality/|archive-date=10 November 2014}}</ref>

The Cortes Generales approved the ''Gender Equality Act'' in 2007 aimed at furthering [[gender equality|equality between genders]] in Spanish political and economic life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipsnews.net/2007/03/spain-no-turning-back-from-path-to-gender-equality/|title=SPAIN: No Turning Back from Path to Gender Equality|publisher=Ipsnews.net|date=15 March 2007|access-date=5 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419015814/http://www.ipsnews.net/2007/03/spain-no-turning-back-from-path-to-gender-equality/|archive-date=19 April 2014 }}</ref> According to [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]] data as of 1 September 2018, 137 of the 350 members of the Congress were women (39.1%), while in the Senate, there were 101 women out of 266 (39.9%), placing Spain 16th on their list of countries ranked by proportion of women in the [[Lower House|lower]] (or [[Unicameral|single]]) House.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm|title=Women in National Parliaments|publisher=Ipu.org|date=28 February 2010|access-date=1 May 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328105108/http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm|archive-date=28 March 2014 }}</ref> The [[Gender Empowerment Measure]] of Spain in the United Nations [[Human Development Report]] is 0.794, 12th in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_20072008_EN_Complete.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2007/2008|page=330|publisher=Hdr.undp.org|access-date=18 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429033726/http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_20072008_EN_Complete.pdf|archive-date=29 April 2011 }}</ref>