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How does the Spanish state work? - Coggle Diagram
How does the Spanish state work?
The Spanish Constitution, adopted in 1978, defines Spain as a decentralised and democratic welfare state subject to the rule of law.
Spain is a democracy...
Under the Constitution, Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The king is the state's highest authority, but power resides in the people, who exercise it through representatives elected by universal suffrage.
The Constitution also regulates the functioning of the state and its institutions, established according to the separation of powers:
The Cortes Generales, whose members are elected, are Spain's legislature and play a key role in the political system.
The Government is appointed by the prime minister, who is in turn elected by the Congress of Deputies. It directs domestic and international policy, proposes draft laws to the Cortes and approves national budgets.
The courts of justice enforce the law among institutions and citizens. The courts must perform their tasks independently and impartially.
key points
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy and power resides with the people.
Spain's government is decentralised and contains 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities.
decentralised structure
The Constitution also defines Spain as a decentralised state divided into autonomous communities and cities, provinces and municipalities.
Spain has 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla). Their government institutions and powers are defined in their statute of autonomy.
Below the autonomous communities are the provinces, which are administered by provincial councils. Both the Balearic and Canary Islands have their own councils. Spain has 50 provinces, and within them, over 8000 municipalities. The last level of territorial government is municipal councils.
progressive tax system
Most of the revenue required to maintain the state's administrative structure and public services comes from taxes.
Taxes are either direct from peoples' wages or salaries or the profits earned by businesses, or indirect, such as those related to consumption, like VAT (value added tax). Over half of all revenue comes from direct taxes.
Spain's tax system is progressive. The more a person earns, the more direct tax they pay.
Citizens do not only pay taxes to the central government, but also to the autonomous communities and municipal councils.