History Autonomous communities of Spain

1 history

1.1 background
1.2 constitution of 1978
1.3 autonomic pacts
1.4 current state of affairs

1.4.1 overview
1.4.2 tensions within system
1.4.3 independence process in catalonia

history

background

a map of iberia in 1757

spain diverse country made of different regions varying economic , social structures, different languages , historical, political , cultural traditions. while entire spanish territory united under 1 crown in 1479 not process of national homogenization or amalgamation. constituent territories—be crowns, kingdoms, principalities or dominions—retained of former institutional existence, including limited legislative, judicial or fiscal autonomy. these territories exhibited variety of local customs, laws, languages , currencies until mid nineteenth century.

from 18th century onwards, bourbon kings , government tried establish more centralized regime. leading figures of spanish enlightenment advocated building of spanish nation beyond internal territorial boundaries. culminated in 1833, when spain divided 49 (now 50) provinces, served transmission belts policies developed in madrid.

however, unlike in other european countries such france, regional languages spoken in rural areas or less developed regions, 2 important regional languages of spain spoken in of industrialized areas, which, moreover, enjoyed higher levels of prosperity, in addition having own cultures , historical consciousness. these basque country , catalonia. gave rise peripheral nationalisms along spanish nationalism.

therefore, economic , social changes had produced national cultural unification in france had opposite effect in spain. such, spanish history since late 19th century has been shaped dialectical struggle between spanish nationalism , peripheral nationalisms, in catalonia , basque country, , lesser degree in galicia.

in response catalan demands, limited autonomy granted catalonia in 1913, abolished in 1920. granted again in 1932 during second spanish republic, when generalitat, catalonia s mediaeval institution of government, restored. constitution of 1931 envisaged territorial division spain in autonomous regions , never attained—only catalonia, basque country , galicia had approved statutes of autonomy —the process being thwarted spanish civil war broke out in 1936, , victory of rebel nationalist forces under francisco franco.

during general franco s dictatorial regime, centralism forcefully enforced way of preserving unity of spanish nation . peripheral nationalism, along communism , atheism regarded regime main threats. attempts fight separatism heavy-handed sporadic repression, , severe suppression of language , regional identities backfired: demands democracy became intertwined demands recognition of pluralistic vision of spanish nationhood.

when franco died in 1975, spain entered phase of transition towards democracy. difficult task of newly democratically elected cortes generales (the spanish parliament) in 1977 acting constituent assembly transition unitary centralized state decentralized state in way satisfy demands of peripheral nationalists. prime minister of spain, adolfo suárez, met josep tarradellas, president of generalitat of catalonia in exile. agreement made generalitat restored , limited competencies transferred while constitution still being written. shortly after, government allowed creation of assemblies of members of parliament integrated deputies , senators of different territories of spain, constitute pre-autonomic regimes regions well.

the fathers of constitution had strike balance between opposing views of spain—on 1 hand, centralist view inherited franco s regime, , on other hand federalism , pluralistic view of spain nation of nations ; between uniform decentralization of entities same competencies , asymmetrical structure distinguish nationalities. peripheral nationalist parties wanted multinational state federal or confederal model, whereas governing union of democratic centre (ucd) , people s alliance (ap) wanted minimum decentralization; spanish socialist workers party (psoe) sympathetic federal system.

in end, constitution, published , ratified in 1979, found balance in recognizing existence of nationalities , regions in spain, within indissoluble unity of spanish nation . in order manage tensions present in spanish transition democracy, drafters of current spanish constitution avoided giving labels such federal territorial arrangements, while enshrining in constitution right autonomy or self-government of nationalities , regions , through process of asymmetric devolution of power autonomous communities created.

constitution of 1978

the starting point in territorial organization of spain second article of constitution, reads:

the constitution based on indissoluble unity of spanish nation, common , indivisible homeland of spaniards; recognizes , guarantees right self-government of nationalities , regions of composed , solidarity among them all.

the constitution rather ambiguous on how take place. not define, detail, or impose structure of state; not tell difference between nation , nationality ; , not specify nationalities , regions , or territories comprise. rather imposing, enables process towards decentralized structure based on exercise these nationalities , regions make of right self-government granted. such, outcome of exercise not predictable , construction deliberately open-ended; constitution created process eventual devolution, voluntary in nature: nationalities , regions had option of choosing attain self-government or not.

in order exercise right, constitution established open process whereby nationalities , regions constituted autonomous communities . first, recognized pre-existing 50 provinces of spain, territorial division of liberal centralizing regime of 19th century created purely administrative purposes (it recognized municipalities integrated provinces). these provinces serve building blocks , constituent parts of autonomous communities. constitution stipulated following constituted autonomous communities:

two or more adjacent provinces common historical, cultural , economic characteristics.
insular territories.
a single province historical regional identity .

it allowed exceptions above criteria, in spanish parliament could:

authorize, in nation s interest, constitution of autonomous community if single province without historical regional identity.
authorize or grant autonomy entities or territories not provinces.

the constitution established 2 routes accede autonomy. fast route or fast track , called exception , established in article 151, , implicitly reserved 3 historical nationalities —the basque country, catalonia , galicia—in strict requirements opt route waived via second transitory disposition territories had approved statute of autonomy during second spanish republic (otherwise, constitution required approval of three-fourths of municipalities involved population sum @ least majority of electoral census of each province, , required ratification through referendum affirmative vote of absolute majority of electoral census of each province—that is, of registered citizens, not of vote).

the constitution explicitly established institutional framework these communities parliamentary system, legislative assembly elected universal suffrage, cabinet or council of government , president of such council, elected assembly, , high court of justice. granted maximum level of devolved competencies.

the slow route or slow track , called norm , established in article 143. route taken—via first transitory disposition—by pre-autonomic regimes had been constituted in 1978, while constitution still being drafted, if approved two-thirds of municipalities involved population sum @ least majority of electoral census of each province or insular territory. these communities assume limited competences during provisional period of 5 years, after assume further competences, upon negotiation central government. however, constitution did not explicitly establish institutional framework these communities. have established parliamentary system historical nationalities , or have not assumed legislative powers , established mechanisms administration of competences granted.

once autonomous communities created, article 145 prohibits federation of autonomous communities . understood agreement between communities produce alteration political , territorial equilibrium cause confrontation between different blocks of communities, action incompatible principle of solidarity , unity of nation.

the so-called additional , transitory dispositions of constitution allowed exceptions above-mentioned framework. in terms of territorial organization, fifth transitory disposition established cities of ceuta , melilla, spanish exclaves located on northern coast of africa, constituted autonomous communities if absolute majority of members of city councils agree on such motion, , approval of spanish parliament, exercise prerogatives grant autonomy other entities besides provinces.

in terms of scope of competences, first additional disposition recognized historical rights of chartered territories, namely basque-speaking provinces, updated in accordance constitution. recognition allow them establish financial chartered regime whereby not have independence manage own finances, other communities, have own public financial ministries ability levy , collect taxes. in rest of communities, taxes levied , collected or central government , redistributed among all.

autonomic pacts

the statutes of autonomy of basque country , catalonia sanctioned spanish parliament on 18 december 1979. position of party in government, union of democratic centre (ucd), 3 historical nationalities assume full competences, while rest accede autonomy via article 143, assuming fewer powers , perhaps not establishing institutions of government. firmly opposed representatives of andalusia, demanded region maximum level of competences granted nationalities .

after massive rally in support of autonomy, referendum organized andalusia attain autonomy through strict requirements of article 151, or fast route —with ucd calling abstention, , main party in opposition in parliament, spanish socialist workers party (psoe) calling vote in favour. these requirements not met, in 1 of 8 provinces, almería, votes in favour—although majority—did not amount half of electoral census required. yet, in general, results of referendum had been clear , unequivocal.

after several months of discussion, prime minister of spain, adolfo suárez , leader of opposition, felipe gonzález, reached agreement resolve andalusian issue, whereby parliament approved amendment law regulated referendums, , used prerogative of article 144c of constitution, both actions combined allow andalusia take fast route. agreed no other region take fast route , regions establish parliamentary system institutions of government. opened phase dubbed café para todos, coffee . agreement put writing in july 1981 in has been called first autonomic pacts .

these autonomic pacts filled in gap left open character of constitution. among other things:

they described final outline of territorial division of spain, specific number , name of autonomous communities created.
they restricted fast-route historical nationalities , andalusia; rest had take slow-route .
they established autonomous communities have institutions of government within parliamentary system.
they set deadline remaining communities constituted: 1 february 1983.

in end, 17 autonomous communities created:

andalusia, , 3 historical nationalities —the basque country, catalonia , galicia—took fast-route , assumed maximum level of competences immediately; rest took slow route .
aragon, castilla-la mancha, castile , león, extremadura , valencian community acceded autonomy communities integrated 2 or more provinces common historical, economic , cultural characteristics.
the balearic islands , canary islands acceded autonomy insular territories, latter integrated 2 provinces.
principality of asturias, cantabria, la rioja , murcia acceded autonomy single provinces historical identity (also called uniprovincial autonomous communities).
navarre, single province, acceded autonomy through recognition, update , improvement of historical , local law (charters; spanish fueros), , such, known chartered community .
the province of madrid, home national capital, removed castilla-la mancha (formerly new castile), belonged, , constituted single-province autonomous community in national interest , community of madrid.

special provisions made valencian community , canary islands in that, although took slow route , through subsequent approval of specific organic laws, assume maximum level of competences in less 5 years, since had started process towards fast route prior approval of autonomic pacts .

on other hand, cantabria , la rioja, although part of old castile—and both included in pre-autonomic regime of castile , león—were granted autonomy single provinces historical identity, move supported majority of populations. autonomic pacts give both cantabria , la rioja option of being incorporated castile , león in future, , required statutes of autonomy of 3 communities include such provision. león, historical kingdom , historical region of spain, once joined old castile form castile , león, denied secession constituted autonomous community on own right.

the spanish parliament, congress of deputies

during second half of 1980s, central government seemed reluctant transfer competences slow route communities. after 5 years set constitution, slow route communities demanded maximum transfer guaranteed constitution. led has been called second autonomic pacts of 1992, between prime minister of spain felipe gonzález psoe , leader of opposition, josé maría aznar newly created people s party (pp) successor of people s alliance party. through these agreements new competences transferred, reforms many statutes of autonomy of slow-route communities aim of equalizing them fast route communities. in 1995, cities of ceuta , melilla constituted autonomous cities without legislative powers, autonomous assembly not subordinated other province or community.

the creation of autonomous communities diverse process, started constitution, normalized autonomic pacts , completed statutes of autonomy. is, however, ongoing process; further devolution—or return of transferred competences—is possibility. has been evidenced in 2000s, @ beginning wave of approval of new statutes of autonomy many communities, , more many considering recentralization of competences in wake of economic , financial crisis of 2008. nonetheless spain highly decentralized country structure unlike other, similar not equal federation, though in many respects country can compared countries undeniably federal. unique resulting system referred autonomous state , or more precisely state of autonomies .

current state of affairs
overview

with implementation of autonomous communities, spain went being 1 of centralized countries in oecd being 1 of decentralized; in particular, has been country incomes , outcomes of decentralized bodies (the autonomous communities) has grown most, leading rank in europe 2015 , being fifth among oecd countries in tax devolution (after canada, switzerland, united states , austria). means of state of autonomies implemented after spanish constitution of 1978, spain has been quoted remarkable extent of powers peacefully devolved on past 30 years , extraordinarily decentralized country , central government accounting 18% of public spending, 38% regional governments, 13% local councils, , remaining 31% social security system.

in terms of personnel, 2010 1,350,000 people or 50.3% of total civil servants in spain employed autonomous communities; city , provincial councils accounted 23.6% , employees working central administration (police , military included) represented 22.2% of total.

tensions within system

peripheral nationalism continues play key role in spanish politics. peripheral nationalists view there vanishing practical distinction between terms nationalities , regions , more competences transferred communities in same degree , other communities have chosen identify nationalities . in fact, has been argued establishment of state of autonomies has led creation of new regional identities , , invented communities .

many in galicia, basque country, , catalonia view communities nations , not nationalities , , spain plurinational state or nation of nations , , have made demands further devolution or secession.

in 2004 basque parliament approved ibarretxe plan, whereby basque country approve new statute of autonomy containing key provisions such shared sovereignty spain, full independence of judiciary, , right self-determination, , assuming competences except of spanish nationality law, defense, , monetary policy. plan rejected spanish parliament in 2005 , situation has remained largely stable in front far.

a particularly contentious point -especially in catalonia- has been 1 of fiscal tensions, catalan nationalists intensifying demand further financing on last few years. in regard, new rules fiscal decentralisation in force since 2011 make spain 1 of decentralised countries in world in budgetary , fiscal matters, base income tax split @ 50/50 between spanish government , regions (something unheard of in bigger federal states such germany or united states, retain income tax exclusively federal one). besides, each region can decide set own income tax bands , own additional rates, higher or lower federal rates, corresponding income accruing region no longer has share other regions. current level of fiscal decentralisation has been regarded economists such thomas piketty troublesome since, in view, challenges idea of solidarity within country , comes down playing regions against each other, particularly problematic when issue 1 of income tax supposed enable reduction of inequalities between richest , poorest, on , above regional or professional identities .

independence process in catalonia

the severe economic crisis in spain started in 2008 produced different reactions in different communities. on 1 hand, began consider return of responsibilities central government. while, on other hand, in catalonia debate on fiscal deficit—catalonia being 1 of largest net contributors in taxes— led many not separatist enraged financial deficit support secession. in september 2012, artur mas, catalonia s president, requested central government new fiscal agreement , possibility of giving community powers equal of communities of chartered regime, prime minister mariano rajoy refused. mas dissolved catalan parliament, called new elections, , promised celebrate referendum on independence within next 4 years.

rajoy s government declared use legal instruments —current legislation requires central executive government or congress of deputies call or sanction binding referendum— block such attempt. spanish socialist workers party , counterpart in catalonia proposed reopen debate on territorial organization of spain, changing constitution create true federal system better reflect singularities of catalonia, modify current taxation system.

on friday 27 of october 2017 catalan parliament voted independence of catalonia; result 70 in favor, 10 against, 2 neither, 53 representatives not present in protest. in following days, members of catalan government either fled or imprisoned.

one scholar summarises current situation follows

autonomous state appears have come full circle, reproaches sides. according some, has not gone far enough , has failed satisfy aspirations improved self-government. others has gone far, fostering inefficiency or reprehensible linguistic policies .

cite error: there <ref group=lower-roman> tags or {{efn-lr}} templates on page, references not show without {{reflist|group=lower-roman}} template or {{notelist-lr}} template (see page).