by the Government of Spain

Name: Spanish Constitution of 1978
Author: by the Government of Spain

Biographical details

The author, identified as "by the Government of Spain," is best known for drafting the Spanish Constitution of 1978, a foundational text shaping modern Spanish governance. This document emphasizes the rule of law, democratic principles, and the balance between national unity and regional autonomy, as seen in its provisions on judicial independence, public administration, and citizens' rights.

Themes of social justice, equality, and political pluralism recur throughout, reflecting a commitment to democratic governance. The Constitution’s intricate framework, balancing centralized authority with self-governing communities, underscores its role as a pivotal legal and political synthesis for Spain’s post-Franco era.

Quotes by by the Government of Spain

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Section 1 Spain is hereby established as a social and democratic State, subject to the rule of law, which advocates freedom, justice, equality and political pluralism as highest values of its legal system. National sovereignty belongs to the Spanish people, from whom all state powers emanate. The political form of the Spanish State is the Parliamentary Monarchy. Section 2 The Constitution is based on the indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation, the common and indivisible homeland of all Spaniards ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The Constitution guarantees the principle of legality, the hierarchy of legal provisions, the publicity of legal statutes, the non-retroactivity of punitive provisions that are not favourable to or restrictive of individual rights, the certainty that the rule of law shall prevail, the accountability of public authorities, and the prohibition of arbitrary action of public authorities. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ It is the responsibility of the public authorities to promote conditions ensuring that freedom and equality of individuals and of the groups to which they belong are real and effective, to remove the obstacles preventing or hindering their full enjoyment, and to facilitate the participation of all citizens in political, economic, cultural and social life. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The Office of Public Prosecutor, without prejudice to functions entrusted to other bodies, has the task of promoting the operation of justice in the defence of the rule of law, of citizens' rights and of the public interest as safeguarded by the law, whether ex officio or at the request of interested parties, as well as that of protecting the independence of the courts and securing before them the satisfaction of social interest. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The Cortes Generales, in matters of State jurisdiction, may confer upon all or any of the Self-governing Communities the power to pass legislation for themselves within the framework of the principles, bases and guidelines laid down by a State act. Without prejudice to the jurisdiction of the Courts, each enabling act shall make provision for the method of supervision by the Cortes Generales over the Communities' legislation. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The Public Administration shall serve the general interest in a spirit of objectivity and shall act in accordance with the principles of efficiency, hierarchy, decentralization, deconcentration and coordination, and in full subordination to the law. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ If a Self governing Community does not fulfil the obligations imposed upon it by the Constitution or other laws, or acts in a way that is seriously prejudicial to the general interest of Spain, the Government, after having lodged a complaint with the President of the Self governing Community and failed to receive satisfaction therefore, may, following approval granted by the overall majority of the Senate, take all measures necessary to compel the Community to meet said obligations, or to protect the above mentioned general interest. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The Government shall convene all Members of Congress and Senators elected in the constituencies of the territory seeking self government, in order that they may set themselves up as an Assembly for the sole purpose of drawing up a Statute of Autonomy, to be adopted by the overall majority of its members. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Freedom of ideology, religion and worship of individuals and communities is guaranteed, with no other restriction on their expression than may be necessary to maintain public order as protected by law. 2. No one may be compelled to make statements regarding his or her ideology, religion or beliefs. 3. No religion shall have a state character. The public authorities shall take into account the religious beliefs of Spanish society and shall consequently maintain appropriate cooperation relations with the Catholic Church and other confessions. Section 17 ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Section 31
1. Everyone shall contribute to sustain public expenditure according to their economic capacity, through a fair tax system based on the principles of equality and progressive taxation, which in no case shall be of a confiscatory scope. 2. Public expenditure shall make an equitable allocation of public resources, and its programming and execution shall comply with criteria of efficiency and economy. 3. Personal or property contributions for public purposes may only be imposed in accordance with the law. Section 32
1. Man and woman have the right to marry with full legal equality. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The public authorities shall watch over a rational use of all natural resources with a view to protecting and improving the quality of life and preserving and restoring the environment, by relying on an indispensable collective solidarity. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The Congress may not be dissolved while any of the states referred to in the present section remains in force, and if the Houses are not in session, they shall be automatically convened. Their functioning, as well as that of the other constitutional State authorities, may not be interrupted while any of these states is in force. If, in the event that the Congress has been dissolved or its term has expired, a situation giving rise to any of these states should occur, the powers of the Congress shall be assumed by its Permanent Deputation. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The public authorities shall guarantee, through adequate and periodically updated pensions, a sufficient income for citizens in old age. Likewise, and without prejudice to the obligations of the families, they shall promote their welfare through a system of social services that provides for their specific problems of health, housing, culture and leisure. Section 51
1. The public authorities shall guarantee the protection of consumers and users and shall, by means of effective measures, safeguard their safety, health and legitimate economic interests. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Private individuals shall, under the terms laid down by law, be entitled to compensation for any harm they may suffer in any of their property and rights, except in cases of force majeure, whenever such harm is the result of the operation of public services. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Local treasuries must have sufficient funds available in order to perform the tasks assigned by law to the respective Corporations, and shall mainly be financed by their own taxation as well as by their share of State taxes and those of Self governing Communities. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Trade unions and employers associations contribute to the defence and promotion of the economic and social interests which they represent. Their creation and the exercise of their activities shall be free in so far as they respect the Constitution and the law. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The law shall establish the forms of participation of the persons concerned in Social Security and in the activities of those public bodies whose operation directly affects quality of life or general welfare. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Section 26
Courts of Honour are prohibited within the framework of the Civil Administration and of professional organizations. Section 27
1. Everyone has the right to education. Freedom of teaching is recognized. 2. Education shall aim at the full development of human personality with due respect for the democratic principles of coexistence and for basic rights and freedoms. 3. The public authorities guarantee the right of parents to ensure that their children receive religious and moral instruction in accordance with their own convictions. 4. Elementary education is compulsory and free. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Justice emanates from the people and is administered on behalf of the King by judges and magistrates members of the Judicial Power who shall be independent, shall have fixity of tenure, shall be accountable for their acts and subject only to the rule of law. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The State shall be empowered to plan general economic activity by an act in order to meet collective needs, to balance and harmonize regional and sectorial development and to stimulate the growth of income and wealth and their more equitable distribution. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The right to freely communicate or receive truthful information by any means of dissemination whatsoever. The law shall regulate the right to the clause of conscience and professional secrecy in the exercise of these freedoms. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Section 11
1. Spanish nationality shall be acquired, retained and lost in accordance with the provisions of the law. 2. No person of Spanish birth may be deprived of his or her nationality. 3. The State may negotiate dual nationality treaties with Latin-American countries or with those which have had or which have special links with Spain. In these countries Spaniards may become naturalized without losing their nationality of origin, even if those countries do not grant a reciprocal right to their own citizens. Section 12
Spaniards come legally of age at eighteen years. Section 13
1. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The right to initiate the process towards self government lies with all the Provincial Councils concerned or with the corresponding inter-island body and with two thirds of the municipalities whose population represents at least the majority of the electorate of each province or island. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ Every person has the right to freedom and security. No one may be deprived of his or her freedom except in accordance with the provisions of this section and in the cases and in the manner provided for by the law. ”

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Source: Wikisource

by the Government of Spain, Spanish Constitution of 1978 (1992)

“ The primary power to raise taxes is vested exclusively in the State by means of law. 2. Self governing Communities and local Corporations may impose and levy taxes, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws. ”

by the Government of Spain

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