The political organization of Spain can be described by
the word the Spanish themselves favor : "organic".
The present
Government uses this word to mean that the system derives its character and
make-up directly from the organic character of the Spanish people and
institutions; i.e., the family, the local municipality and the Syndicate
[associations of labor and management).
"Organic", however, also means
something that is in a state of flux, or change, and this is certainly one
facet of Spain's politics.
The country is, by declaration of its
constitution, an hereditary monarchy. Currently there is no king, though Juan
Carlos de Borbon was designated future monarch on July 22, 1969.
Though the trend of change has been to very gradually decrease
the power of the Head of State, this office still carries great
power.
There is no law which specifically regulates this office.
Articles nine and ten of the "Organic Law" require either the authorization of
the "Cortes" [parliament] - or sanction of an existing law for his actions,
thus somewhat limiting his power.
Nevertheless, he exercises the political
and administrative command of Spain. He sanctions and promulgates the laws,
and enforces them. He is in command of all the armed forces; he confers
important political posts, such as President of the Cortes, all cabinet
ministers, all provincial governors, all Heads of Syndicates, all armed forces
commanders, and has power of veto over Church Bishops appointed by the
Vatican. He is also primarily responsible for Spanish foreign policy.
The
Head of the State is also the head of the National Movement, which is the
nearest thing to a political party in Spain, and is the main principal-making
body of the country, represented primarily by the National Council.
The Head of Government is an office created to somewhat weaken
the powers of the Head of State by dividing its functions. While the
division is by no means equal between the two "Heads", this secondary office
does have much to say in legislative matters.
Spain's parliamentary body was created in 1942 and has
undergone considerable change since, the tendency having been to increase its
responsibilities.
The work of the Cortes consists in "preparation and
elaboration" of laws. Since the "Organic Law" of 1966 the Cortes also
approbate the laws - a significant addition.
In fact, the Cortes are still
under the very watchful eye of the Head of State, by virtue of his ability to
nominates the President of the Cortes, who sets the agenda, convenes and
adjourns the meetings at swill.
The representation in the Cortes is an
attempt to realize the "organic government". The 600-member body is composed
of a large number of Syndicate representatives, two representatives [generally
elected] from each province, representatives of the municipalities,
representatives appointed by the Head of State [the number of these has now
decreased from fifty to twenty-five], and all members of the National
Council.
It will be seen that the Head of State also has a large say in the
make-up of the Cortes, since he appoints the provincial heads and heads of
syndicates, bodies represented in the Cortes.
Each representative has a
term of three years.
This body is charged with aiding the Head of State. Its
members include: the Senior Prelate in the Cortes, the Senior Officer of the
Armed Forces, the Chief of Staff, the President of the Supreme Court of
Justice, the President of the Council of State, the President of the Institute
of Spain, ten Cortes Members, the Sneaker of the Cortes and one member
representing each body : the heads of families, the Syndicates, the
municipalities and the National Movement. Several officers of the state are
also members.
The Council of the Realm intervenes in designation of the
Head of Government, presidents of various councils, the twenty-five designated
Cotes Members, President of the Cortes and successor to the Head of
State.
The Read of State cannot veto a Cortes law without consent of the
Council of the Realm.
Though the Council's real powers are moot, its
advisory business is considerable.