The King is the Head of State: he symbolises the unity and continuity of the State and is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, but he does not govern. The Cortes Generales make the laws and control the Government; they have two chambers, the Congress of Deputies, with 350 deputies, and the Senate, the chamber of territorial representation. A legislature lasts four years. The King proposes a candidate for President of the Government, who must win the confidence of the Congress. The Government directs domestic and foreign policy. Judges are independent and Spain also has the Constitutional Court, the Ombudsman (Defensor del Pueblo) and the Court of Auditors.
What you'll learn
- The role of the King and who is King today
- The two chambers of the Cortes Generales and what each does
- How the President of the Government is proposed and invested
- The Constitutional Court, the Ombudsman, the Supreme Court and the Court of Auditors
A sample question from the bank
Pregunta: ¿Qué dos cámaras forman las Cortes Generales? Respuesta: El Congreso de los Diputados y el Senado.
Pregunta: ¿Qué institución defiende los derechos de los ciudadanos frente a la Administración? Respuesta: El Defensor del Pueblo.
Frequently asked questions
Does the King sign the laws?
He sanctions and promulgates them, but the laws are made by the Cortes Generales and the Government directs policy. The CCSE asks you to know the difference.
How many deputies are in the Congress?
350.