Spain is a state split into autonomous communities, three of whichCatalonia, Galicia, and Basque Countryare denominated historic communities, having their own languages that coexist co-officially with Castilian, the official language of Spain. The State of Autonomies, as established in Article 2 of the constitution, has been argued to be based on four principles: willingness to accede to autonomy, unity in diversity, autonomy but not sovereignty of the communities, and solidarity among them all. Some peripheral nationalists still complain that the creation of many regions was an attempt to break down their own national unity by a sort of gerrymandering thus softening the impact of the distinctiveness of their own nationalities. He deeply believed that it was the politicians who had ruined Spain and that governing without them he could restore the nation. In 1931, the Second Spanish Republic was established, and a new liberal constitution allowed the "regions" of Spain to attain self-government and created the "autonomous region" as a first-order administrative division. In six (Asturias, Cantabria, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, and Navarre), provincial functions are assumed by the regional government because the boundaries are identical. The Basque Country and Galicia followed suit in 1936, but only the Statute of Autonomy of the first was approved before the Spanish Civil War erupted. [52][53] In September 2012, Artur Mas, then Catalonia's president, requested from the central government a new "fiscal agreement", with the possibility of giving his community powers of fiscal autonomy equal to those of the chartered communities, but prime minister Mariano Rajoy refused. This opened a phase that was dubbed in Spanish as "caf para todos", "coffee for all", which meant that all regions would be "served the same" that is, that all nationalities and regions would accede to self-government in roughly the same degree, even if at different paces. ct intro final 1/1 He did not create a base of support among the voters and depended instead on elite elements. The Romans divided the peninsula into different provinces and introduced the Latin language, Roman law, and later Christianity to the majority of the peninsula. While the constitution did not establish how many autonomous communities were to be created, on 31 July 1981, Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo, then the prime minister of Spain and Felipe Gonzlez, leader of the opposition in Parliament, signed the "First Autonomic Pacts" (Primeros pactos autonmicos in Spanish), in which they agreed to the creation of 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities, with the same institutions of government, but different competences. Why do the autonomous communities of Espana have their own television stations? ", "liberty, amnesty and Statute of Autonomy", the biggest demonstration in post-war Europe. BBC News. [61], The asymmetrical devolution is a unique characteristic of the territorial structure of Spain, in that the autonomous communities have a different range of devolved powers. These communities would assume limited powers (Spanish: competencias) during a provisional period of 5 years, after which they could assume further powers, upon negotiation with the central government. The province of Madrid was also separated from New Castile and constituted as an autonomous community, in a way in recognition of its status as the capital of the nation, but also because it was originally excluded from the pre-autonomic agreements that created the community of Castile-La Mancha, to which it naturally belonged. The Basque Country quickly followed suit. Welfare Editor's Picks Current statistics on this topic Poverty Poverty risk rate in Spain 2008-2021 Poverty Population at risk of poverty or exclusion in Spain 2021, based on age and gender. The Commonwealth of Catalonia was dissolved during the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (Marquis of Estella) in 1923. On the other hand, Cantabria and La Rioja, although originally part of Old Castileand both originally included in the "pre-autonomic regime" of Castile and Lenwere granted autonomy as single provinces with historical identity, a move supported by the majority of their populations. During the second half of the 1980s, the central government seemed reluctant to transfer all powers to the "slow route" communities. 26 November 2019 View Catalonia merged with Spain in 1469, but has attempted to separate itself in modern times. The two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla were constituted in 1995. [32], The so-called "additional" and "transitory" dispositions of the constitution allowed for some exceptions to the above-mentioned framework. Despite the lack of a historical base for both communities and the fact that the Spanish government favoured their integration in the larger Castile-Len, the local population overwhelmingly supported the new entities. The Statutes of Autonomy of the respective autonomous communities have declared Basque the language proper to the Basque Country and Navarre, Catalan the language proper to Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Communitywhere it is historically, traditionally and officially known as Valencianand Galician to be the language proper to Galicia. The second sphere, that of the regions or autonomous communities, is the second-level subdivision (using the definition of NUTS and OECD) or the first-level subdivision (using the definition of FIPS, CIA World Factbook and ISO 3166-2). Title VIII of the constitution establishes, although it does not clearly delimit, a system of distribution of competences or jurisdictions between the State and the autonomous communities. Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia acceded to autonomy via the fast-track route established in the 151st article of the constitution, with all competencies granted, because in the past they had approved a Statute by referendum and they had already established a pre-autonomic provisional government. The communities of common regime have the ability to add a surcharge to the so-called "ceded taxes"taxes set at the central level, but collected locallyand they can lower or raise personal income taxes up to a limit. There are 17 Autonomous Regions in total, and two Autonomous Cities: Ceuta and Melilla. In the mountainous, rural northern regions to the north, the Christian rulers were regaining their footing, despite numerous internal conflicts. (Special Issue on Politics and Policy in Democratic Spain: No Longer Different? )", Why Talk of Federalism Won't Help Peace in Syria, Devolution and Democracy: Identity, Preferences, and Voting in the Spanish "State of Autonomies", "Un balance del Estado de las Autonomas", "Ttulo VIII. Nonetheless in all communities except for the Basque Country, Catalonia, Galicia, and Andalusia elections are held the last Sunday of May every four years, concurrent with municipal elections in all Spain.[60]. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the two political discourses of Spanish nationalism, the traditional and the liberal, continued to be present and opposing, advocating for different political regimes. Many in Galicia, the Basque Country, and Catalonia view their communities as "nations", not just "nationalities", and Spain as a "plurinational state" or a "nation of nations", and they have made demands for further devolution or secession. From the 18th century onwards, the Bourbon kings and the government tried to establish a more centralized regime. Yet, the outcome was not predictable; First, it did not specify the name or number of the autonomous communities that would integrate the Spanish nation, and secondly, the process was voluntary in nature: the regions themselves had the option of choosing to attain self-government or not. This was a significant, since for the "historical nationalities" part of their distinctiveness lies on their own regional languages. The monarch's most important functions include the duty to summon and dissolve the legislature, appoint and accept the resignation of the prime minister and cabinet ministers, ratify laws, declare wars, and sign treaties decided upon by the government. [11], During General Franco's dictatorial regime, centralism was vigorously enforced as a way of preserving the "unity of the Spanish nation". [22] In the words of the Constitutional Court of Spain in its ruling of August 5, 1983, the autonomous communities are characterized by their "homogeneity and diversityequal in their subordination to the constitutional order, in the principles of their representation in the Senate, in their legitimation before the Constitutional Court, and in that the differences between the distinct Statutes [of Autonomy] cannot imply economic or social privileges; however, they can be unequal with respect to the process to accede to autonomy and the concrete determination of the autonomic content of their Statute, and therefore, in their scope of powers. The two autonomous cities have more limited powers than autonomous communities, but more than other municipalities. In some autonomous communities, these institutions are restored historical bodies of government or representation of the previous kingdoms or regional entities within the Spanish Crownlike the Generalitat of Cataloniawhile others are entirely new creations. They collect their own taxes and send a prearranged amount to the central government. The third article ends up declaring that the "richness of the distinct linguistic modalities of Spain represents a patrimony which will meet the object of special respect and protection.". Peripheral nationalist parties wanted a multinational state with a federal or confederal model, whereas the governing Union of the Democratic Centre (UCD) and the People's Alliance (AP) wanted minimum decentralization; the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) was sympathetic to a federal system. Canarias (Canary Islands) 4. was also separated from New Castile and constituted as an autonomous community, in a way in recognition of its status as the capital of the nation, but also because it was originally excluded from the pre-autonomic agreements that created the community of Castile-La Mancha, to which it naturally belonged. All autonomous communities follow the provincial limits established in the 1833 territorial division of Spain, that is, no province has been partitioned between communities. The Basque provinces and Navarre are officially known as "historical territories" or "chartered territories". [16] In 1995, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla were constituted as "autonomous cities" without legislative powers, but with an autonomous assembly[clarification needed] not subordinated to any other province or community. In essence, fiscal equalization implies that richer communities become net contributors to the system, while poorer communities become net recipients. CoR - Spain intro - europa.eu "Regions of Spain" redirects here. [22], After several months of discussion, the then prime minister of Spain, Adolfo Surez and the leader of the opposition, Felipe Gonzlez, reached an agreement to resolve the Andalusian issue, whereby the Parliament approved an amendment to the law that regulated referendums, and used a prerogative of article 144c of the constitution, both actions which combined would allow Andalusia to take the fast route. It's not a federal system where the rights are equal across all of them and it's individually negotiated with all of them. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, though, the Spanish government was heavily centralized and the State did not recognise the nation's regional diversity. The Local Government Act allows each region to determine the activities of provincial councils. In all other communities, all taxes are levied and collected by or for the central government and then redistributed among all. How much does the autonomous community mean for your life - Reddit 11 Reasons Why Catalonia Is a Unique Region in Spain - Culture Trip In terms of territorial organization, the fifth transitory disposition established that the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish exclaves located on the northern coast of Africa, could be constituted as "autonomous communities" if the absolute majority of the members of their city councils would agree on such a motion, and with the approval of the Spanish Parliament, which would exercise its prerogatives to grant autonomy to other entities besides provinces.[33]. In Spain, there are 17 autonomous regions, and it's a good idea to get familiarized with them, so you know where in Spain you want to go. On 11 September 1977, more than one million people marched in the streets of Barcelona (Catalonia) demanding "llibertat, amnistia i estatut d'autonomia", "liberty, amnesty and Statute of Autonomy", the biggest demonstration in post-war Europe. Why does Catalonia want to be independent from Spain? [63] Yet there are differences as stipulated in their Statutes and the constitution:[60]. After the war, centralism was most forcefully enforced during Franco's regime (1939-1975) as a way to preserve the unity of the Spanish nation. The autonomous communities were to be formed from the existing provinces, a division of the centralizing regime of the early nineteenth century: an autonomous community could be created by a province or group of provinces with common historical, cultural and economic features. All autonomous communities have a parliamentary system based on a division of powers comprising: The majority of the communities have approved regional electoral laws within the limits set up by the laws for the entire country. their integration in the larger Castile-Len, the local population overwhelmingly supported the new entities. Contents [ hide] What is an autonomous region? [34][35], In practice most power is vested in municipalities; provinces and comarcas are limited to providing support for smaller municipalities. The "fast route" or "fast track",[23] also called the "exception",[22] was established in article 151, and was implicitly reserved for the three "historical nationalities"[24][28][29]Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, regions with strong regional identities[30]in that the very strict requirements to opt for this route were waived for those territories that had approved a "Statute of Autonomy" during the Second Spanish Republic (19311936). It is divided into 17 autonomous communities and in 2 autonomous cities. The autonomous communities were to be formed from the existing provinces, a division of the centralizing regime of the early nineteenth century: an autonomous community could be created by a province or group of provinces with common historical, cultural and economic features. First, it recognized the pre-existing 50 provinces of Spain, a territorial division of the liberal centralizing regime of the 19th century created for purely administrative purposes (it also recognized the municipalities that integrated the provinces). The executive is exercised by a president, who is also the mayor of the city. The powers of the autonomous communities are not homogeneous. [vii][62], This expression refers to the idea that some communities have particular traits, with respect to Spain as a whole. [3] This agreement was eventually put into writing in July 1981 in what has been called the "first autonomic pacts". The autonomous communities are led by regional governments who are responsible for education, health, social services, culture, urban and rural development and in some cases, policing. This unique framework of territorial administration has been labeled by the Constitutional Court as the "State of Autonomous Communities",[iii] to avoid implying either a unitary or federal model. Territorially, it is organized through three levels of power that are organized by the principle of jurisdiction, there being no hierarchical order between them: State, Autonomous Communities and Local Entities. [31] By 1983, all 17 autonomous communities were constituted: Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile and Len, CastileLa Mancha, Catalonia, the Community of Madrid, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Navarra, the Region of Murcia and the Valencian Community.
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