Jeffry's Blog

The constitutional history of Spain dates back to the Constitution of 1812. After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, a general election in 1977 convened the Constituent Cortes (the Spanish Parliament, in its capacity as a constitutional assembly) for the purpose of drafting and approving the constitution.

A seven-member panel was selected among the elected members of the Cortes to work on a draft of the Constitution to be submitted to the body. These came to be known, as the media put it, as the padres de la Constitución or "fathers of the Constitution". These seven people were chosen to represent the wide (and often, deeply divided) political spectrum within the Spanish Parliament, while the leading role was given to then ruling party and now defunct Unión de Centro Democrático (UCD).


Article 1  

 1. Spain becomes a social and democratic state of law, which holds as superior values ​​of its legal freedom , justice , equality and political pluralism .
  Two . National sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people, from whom emanate the powers of the State.
  Three . The political form of the Spanish State is the Parliamentary Monarchy. 

 Article 2

The Constitution is based on the indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards, and recognizes and guarantees the right to autonomy of the nationalities and regions that compose and solidarity among them. 

 Article 3

1. Castilian is the official Spanish language of the State . All Spaniards have the duty to know and the right to use it.
  Two . The other Spanish languages ​​shall also be official in their respective Autonomous Communities in accordance with its Statute.
  Three . The richness of the linguistic modalities of Spain is a cultural patrimony which will be object of special respect and protection
  Article 4

 1. The flag of Spain consists of three horizontal , red , yellow and red stripes , yellow being twice as wide as each red .
 Two . The Statutes may recognize flags and ensigns of the Autonomous Communities teach . These will be used together with the flag of Spain in their public buildings and official acts.

Article 5

The state capital is the city of Madrid.


  Article 6

Political parties express political pluralism, they contribute to the formation and expression of the popular will and are an essential instrument for political participation . Their creation and the exercise of their activities are free with respect for the Constitution and the law. Their internal structure and operation must be democratic . 

 Article 7

Labor unions and business associations contribute to the defense and promotion of economic and social interests of their own. Their creation and the exercise of their activities are free with respect for the Constitution and the law. Their internal structure and operation must be democratic .

  Article 8 

  1. The Armed Forces, comprising the Army , Navy and the Air Force, is to guarantee the sovereignty and independence of Spain , defend its territorial integrity and constitutional order .
  Two . An organic law shall regulate the foundation of military organization according to the principles of this Constitution .

  

Article 9

  1. Citizens and public authorities are subject to the Constitution and other legislation .
   Two . Responsibility of the public authorities to promote conditions for freedom and equality of individuals and groups in which they belong are real and effective, removing obstacles that prevent or hinder correctly and facilitate the participation of all citizens in the life political, economic , cultural and social .
  Three . The Constitution guarantees the principle of legality, the hierarchy of norms , advertising rules , the non-retroactivity of unfavorable or restrictive of individual rights penalty provisions , legal certainty , accountability and prohibition of arbitrary action by public authorities .