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Electoral Systems

Spain Spain

ES001

Head of State
Question:How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s): g. Inherited monarchy
Comments: The King is the Head of State. The Crown of Spain shall be inherited by the successors of H. M. Juan Carlos I de Borbón, the legitimate heir of the historic dynasty.
Source: Constitution: "Constitución Española", arts. 56-57: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified: 2025/04/01
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES002

Head of Government
Question:How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer: c. Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The head of government is also referred to as the President of the Government (equivalent to Prime Minister). The King, consulting with the representatives appointed by the political groups represented in the parliament, and through the Speaker of the Congress, nominates a candidate for the Presidency of the Government. The candidate then submits to the Congress the political program of the Government he/she intends to form and seeks the confidence of the House. If the Congress, by vote of the overall majority of its members, grants its confidence to the candidate, the King shall appoint him/her as President. If overall majority is not obtained, the same proposal shall be submitted for a fresh vote forty-eight hours after the previous one, and confidence shall be deemed to be secured if granted by single majority.
Source: Constitution: "Constitución Española", art. 99: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified: 2025/04/01
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES003

President
Question:Does the country have a president?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: The Head of Government is the president, and he/she is proposed by the monarch and elected by the Congress of the Deputies (Lower Chamber) following legislative elections. The 'President of the Government' is equivalent to the function of Prime Minister.
Source: Constitution: "Constitución Española", art. 99: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified: 2025/04/01
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES004

Number of Chambers
Question:The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer: b. Two chambers
Comments: The General Courts is Spain's bicameral parliament, composed of the Congress of Deputies (Lower Chamber) and the Senate (Upper Chamber).
Source: Constitution: "Constitución Española", art. 66 & 69: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/
Verified: 2025/04/01
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question:What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s): g. List Proportional Representation
Comments:
Source: Constitution: "Constitución Española", Art. 68: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-constitucion-espanola-2011-2016/; Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica 5/1985, de 19 de junio, del Régimen Electoral General”, arts. 162: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-ley-organica-5-1985-de-19-de-junio-del-1/
Verified: 2025/04/01
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.