Spain is a democratic country based on its 1978 constitution. It has a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative branch includes the Congress and Senate, which make laws. The executive branch is the national government including the prime minister and ministers. The judicial branch interprets laws through courts and tribunals. Spain is also divided into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities, each with their own regional government. The European Union aims to promote peace, security, and economic integration between countries through institutions like the European Parliament, Council, and Commission.

1. POLITICS
Unit 7

2. 1. DEMOCRACY AND THE
CONSTITUTION
Spain is a democracy. Citizens can vote for different political parties. This
democracy is based on the Spanish Constitution of 1978 that guarantees our
rights and also includes our responsibilities.

3. Elections in Spain
Elections are a fundamental part of a democracy. In Spain, elections
take place every four years and Spanish citizens over the age of 18
can vote.
Voting is not compulsory. It usually takes place in public buildings,
for example schools.
When the date of an election is decided, political parties choose
their candidates and organise an election campaign. Each party
produces a programme (a document that describes what the party
will do if they win)
On election day, voters choose a ballot paper and put it in a ballot
box.
The European elections take place every five years and
any EU citizen can vote.

4. 2.THE SEPARATION OF POWERS
The constitution establishes the separation of powers.
LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL
BRANCH BRANCH BRANCH
Parliament National government Judiciary
Congress Senate President and ministers Courts and tribunals

5. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Legislative power is exercised by Parliament (las Cortes Generales).
Parliament makes the laws, approves the budgets, and monitor the government activity.
It`s divided into two chambers: Congress and The Senate.
Congress
It has 350 deputies elected by the citizens.
The proposed laws are introduced, debated
and passed in the Congress. When a law is
passed, it goes to the Senate for
consideration.
The Senate
The Senate approves or reject laws.
There are about 260 senators.

6. Executive power is exercised by the national government.
The government is responsible for domestic and foreign policy, administration and defence.
The government consists of the prime minister (the president) and ministers.
There are different possibilities of government:
-Absolute majority: A political party has more deputies than all the other parties together. In
this case, they form the government and they can pass all their laws.
- Coalition government: Two or more parties form a government together.
- Minority government: A party form a government without an absolute majority.
They need the support of other parties to pass laws.
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

7. Judicial power is exercised by the judiciary.
The judiciary is responsible for interpreting laws and imposing punishment when
they are broken.
The judiciary is made up of judges and magistrates who administers justice in
courts and tribunals.
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

8. 3. SPAIN`S ORGANISATION
Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla)
The autonomous communities are made up of one or more provinces. There are 50 provinces in total.
Each autonomous community has its statute of
autonomy and its regional parliament,
government and court of justice.
Some autonomous communities have more than
one official language, and some have their own
legal code.
PLAY: LEARN THE AUTONOMOUS
COMMUNITIES 1
PLAY: LEARN THE AUTONOMOUS
COMMUNITIES 2
PLAY: LEARN THE PROVINCES 1
PLAY: LEARN THE PROVINCES 2

9. 4. THE AIMS AND HISTORY OF
THE EUROPEAN UNION
AIMS OF THE E.U.
- To prevent war through economic integration.
- To promote peace, security and good relations.
- To protect the environment and encourage
sustainable development.
- To colaborate and share scientific and technological
advances.
- To promote solidarity between countries.

10. HISTORY OF THE E.U.

11. 5. THE EU´S INSTITUTIONS
The European Union has seven main institutions:
- The European Parliament: It prepares and passes the laws.
- The Council of the European Union: It is formed by one
minister from each state. It discusses new laws.
- The European Council: It is formed by the heads of state from
all the member states. It takes decisions about economy,
health…
- The European Commission: It proposes new laws and administers
the EU`s budget.
- The Court of Justice of the European Union: It is formed by
one judge from each state.
- The European Court of Auditors: It controls the EU´s finances.
- The European Central Bank: It is in Frankfurt (Germany). It
controls and distributes the euro.

12. 6. THE SINGLE MARKET AND THE
EUROZONE
In the European Union there is a single market. This means that
goods, people, services and money can move freely between all the
EU countries.
The Eurozone consist of the 19 EU countries that have the euro as
their currency.
Play: Learn the EU countries 1
Play: Learn the EU countries 2