Politics of Spain

Parliamentary democracy was restored following the death of General Franco in 1975, who had ruled since the end of the civil war in 1939. The 1978 constitution established Spain as a parliamentary monarchy, with the Prime Minister responsible to the bicameral Cortes Generales (Cortes) elected every 4 years. On 23 February 1981, rebel elements among the security forces seized the Cortes and tried to impose a military-backed government. However, the great majority of the military forces remained loyal to King Juan Carlos, who used his personal authority to put down the bloodless coup attempt.

Related Topics:
Parliamentary democracy - General Franco - Civil war - 1978 constitution - Parliamentary monarchy - Prime Minister - Cortes Generales - 23 February - 1981 - Security forces - King Juan Carlos

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In October 1982, the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), led by Felipe González Márquez, swept both the Congress of Deputies and Senate, winning an absolute majority. González and the PSOE ruled for the next 13 years. During that period, Spain joined NATO and the European Community.

Related Topics:
PSOE - Felipe González Márquez - NATO - European Community

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In March 1996, José María Aznar's People's Party (PP) was the most voted party, winning almost half the seats in the Congress. Aznar moved to liberalize the economy, with a program of privatizations, labor market reform, and measures designed to increase competition in selected markets, principally telecommunications. During Aznar's first term, Spain qualified for the Economic and Monetary Union. During this period, Spain participated, along with the United States and other NATO allies, in military operations in the former Yugoslavia. Spanish planes took part in the air war against Serbia in 1999, and Spanish armed forces and police personnel are included in the international peacekeeping forces in Bosnia (IFOR, SFOR) and Kosovo (KFOR).

Related Topics:
José María Aznar - People's Party - Privatization - Labor market - Competition - Economic and Monetary Union - United States - Former Yugoslavia - Air war against Serbia - Peacekeeping - Bosnia - IFOR - SFOR - Kosovo - KFOR

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In a landslide victory, President Aznar and the PP won reelection in March 2000, obtaining absolute majorities in both houses of parliament. This mandate allowed Aznar to form a government unencumbered by the coalition building that characterized his earlier administration. Aznar is a staunch supporter of transatlantic relations and the War on Terrorism. For the March 2004 elections Aznar named First Vice President Mariano Rajoy to replace him as the People's Party candidate.

Related Topics:
Coalition - War on Terrorism - March 2004 elections - Mariano Rajoy

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However, in the aftermath of the March 11 terrorist bomb attacks in Madrid, the PP lost the 2004 elections to the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), and its leader José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Rodríquez Zapatero was elected prime minister with the votes of PSOE and a few minor parties. He designed the first Spanish government ever to have the same number of male and female ministers.

Related Topics:
Spanish Socialist Workers' Party - José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero

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