Media and Elections

Spain

ME037

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	c. Based on result of previous election d. Based on mixture of principles (specify) e. As agreed by special committee f. Based on size of legislative caucus
Comments:	Ten minutes for parties, federations, and coalitions that did not participate or did not obtain representation in the previous equivalent elections. Fifteen minutes for parties, federations, and coalitions that obtained representation in the previous equivalent elections but did not reach 5% of the total valid votes cast in the national territory or, where applicable, in the constituencies referred to in Article 62. Thirty minutes for parties, federations, and coalitions that obtained representation in the previous equivalent elections and reached between 5% and 20% of the total votes. Forty-five minutes for parties, federations, and coalitions that obtained representation in the previous equivalent elections and reached at least 20% of the total votes. The right to the free broadcast times listed above only applies to those parties, federations, or coalitions that present candidacies in more than 75% of the constituencies within the scope of dissemination or, where applicable, programming of the corresponding medium. Based on result of previous election: Article 64 specifies that the distribution of free broadcast time is based on the number of votes obtained in the previous equivalent elections. Parties, federations, and coalitions are allocated time according to their performance in past elections. As agreed by special committee: Article 65 mentions that the distribution of free broadcast time is proposed by a Commission of Radio and Television, which is under the direction of the Junta Electoral Central. This commission includes representatives from each party, federation, or coalition with representation in the Congress of Deputies. Based on mixture of principles: The allocation also considers the number of candidates put forward in the present elections (Article 64.2), requiring parties to present candidacies in more than 75% of the constituencies within the scope of dissemination or programming of the medium.
Source:	Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June: "Ley Orgánica del Régimen Electoral General", arts. 61, 64, 65 & 67: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-ley-organica-5-1985-de-19-de-junio-del-1/
Verified:	2025/04/03

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ME059

Television debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source:	http://elpais.com/tag/debate_elecciones_generales/a/
Verified:	2025/04/03

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ME062

Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	c. 4-5 days
Comments:	During the five days prior to the election day, the publication, dissemination, or reproduction of electoral surveys by any means of communication is prohibited.
Source:	Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June: "Ley Orgánica del Régimen Electoral General", art. 69: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-ley-organica-5-1985-de-19-de-junio-del-1/
Verified:	2025/04/03

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ME080

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The amount includes printed advertising and private radio broadcasters (since free access is provided to television), and it is of 20% of the total amount of the allowed expenditure for the electoral process. According to Article 130 of the document, the expenses considered as electoral expenses include those for propaganda and advertising directed at promoting votes for their candidacies. Article 131 specifies the limits: General Limit: No party, federation, coalition, or group can exceed the limits established in the special provisions of the law. Specific Limit for Paid Advertising: The expenditure on this type of advertising cannot exceed 20% of the overall limit set for electoral expenses.
Source:	Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June: "Ley Orgánica del Régimen Electoral General", art. 58, 130, 131: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-ley-organica-5-1985-de-19-de-junio-del-1/
Verified:	2025/04/03

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