Spanish constitution of 1876

The Spanish constitution of 1876 was promulgated in June 1876, two years after the restoration of Spanish monarchy in the person of Alphonse XII. Inspired in particular by Cánovas, it governs the operation of the Spanish constitutional monarchy until the seizure of power by Primo de Rivera, in September 1923. It was worked out by a commission of thirty-nine notable, chaired by Manuel Alonso Martínez.

The king

Its person is inviolable, it is not responsible in front of the Cortes. It is supposed being the chief of the executive, even if in practice it is seldom thus; it shares the legislative power with the Cortes, and has regalities. It can dissolve or suspend the Cortes, and also has a right to veto.

The government

The existence of a government is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution; it nevertheless is tacitly accepted by all. The king names the ministers, who contresign the laws. It is possible to cumulate a ministerial wallet and a seat in the Cortes. Generally, the period during which the Constitution of 1876 applied characterizes by a great governmental instability; the government is in addition responsible in front of the Cortes.

The Cortes

The Cortes are bicameral. They share with the king the legislative matter initiative, receive from the king the oath to defend the Constitution, elect the regent, and possibly the tutor of a minor king.

The Congress is composed of deputies, elected officials initially by the vote censitaire, then by the male vote for all as from 1890. The mandate of a deputy is five years, and the minimal age to sit at the twenty-five years Congress.

The senators are named by three different means: some are senators of right, others are named by the king (they are senators with life), others finally are elected.

Random links: