Aprender español: Organización política de España (nivel intermedio)

Summary

In this Spanish lesson, we explore Spain's political organization, highlighting its status as a parliamentary monarchy with King Felipe VI as the head of state. The Constitution outlines the king's roles, including state representation and overseeing institutions, while also detailing the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judiciary branches. The legislative power is held by the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, with members elected or appointed. The executive branch is led by the Prime Minister and ministers, directing domestic and foreign policies. The judiciary is independent, with the Constitutional and Supreme Courts as key judicial bodies. For more on Spain and Spanish, visit www.tuescueladeespanol.es.

Takeaways

• 👑 Spain is a parliamentary monarchy, with King Felipe VI as the current head of state and his daughter, Princess Leonor, as the heir.
• 📜 The Spanish Constitution is the supreme law, establishing the structure and functions of the country's political system.
• 👨‍⚖️ The King represents the state both domestically and internationally, moderates the functioning of institutions, signs laws, appoints the president, and is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces.
• 🗳️ National sovereignty resides in the Spanish people, and the state is divided into three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
• 🏛️ The legislative power is exercised by the Cortes Generales, consisting of two chambers: the Congress of Deputies and the Senate.
• 👥 The Congress of Deputies has 350 members, and the Senate has 266 members, most of whom are elected by the people, with some senators appointed by regional parliaments.
• 📑 The main functions of the Cortes Generales include drafting and approving national laws, managing the state budget, and overseeing government actions.
• 🤝 The executive power is exercised by the government, which consists of the president and ministers, responsible for domestic and foreign policies, defense, and administration.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Judicial power is independent of the legislative and executive branches, with judges and magistrates administering justice.
• ⚖️ Spain’s top courts are the Constitutional Court, dealing with constitutional matters, and the Supreme Court, which is the highest court for all other cases.

Q & A

What type of government does Spain have according to its Constitution?

Spain is a parliamentary monarchy according to its Constitution.

Who is the current head of state in Spain?

The current head of state is King Felipe VI.

Who is the heir to the Spanish throne?

The heir to the Spanish throne is Leonor, the eldest daughter of King Felipe VI, who holds the title of Princess of Asturias.

What are the two main functions of the King as outlined by the Spanish Constitution?

The King has two main functions: representing the state in both internal and international affairs, and moderating the functioning of state institutions.

What powers does the King of Spain hold regarding the government?

The King signs laws, appoints the president of the government chosen by the Congress of Deputies, and holds supreme command over the Armed Forces.

How is the national sovereignty of Spain defined in the Constitution?

The Constitution states that national sovereignty resides in the Spanish people.

How is the power of the Spanish state divided?

The power of the state is divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

What are the two chambers of the Spanish legislative branch, and how many members do they have?

The legislative branch is made up of the Congress of Deputies, with 350 members, and the Senate, with 266 members.

Who forms the executive branch of the Spanish government?

The executive branch consists of the president of the government and the ministers, who are appointed by the president.

What is the role of the judicial branch in Spain?

The judicial branch, composed of judges and magistrates, is independent and responsible for administering justice.