The first Spanish constitution was passed in 1812.It didn’t work very well as the people of Spain had never had any “rights” and so found the whole concept quite difficult to understand.Later some constitutions only applied in time of war,others were either completely ignored by the politicians or they were ignored by the people themselves.Others only lasted as long as the politician who had actually promoted it.Basically a constitution is about the voice of the people and not just some contrived piece of paper.
The 1812 constitution was known as the Cadiz constitution and came after the Napoleonic wars.The people thought that things were going to change,but it didn’t.They followed in quick succession in 1837,1845,1856,1869 and 1873,each one was supressed by a ruling body of the Spanish government.
In 1931 came the second Republic and the constitution which approved the first Catalan Statute.Then followed the 40 years of the Civil War and the Franco dictatorship during which time constitutions were not high on the agenda.
It was after Franco’s death that they all got together and wrote the present constitution in 1978.It was approved by 58% of the total census ,with an 8% negative vote and 33% abstaining.It was approved by the king and prime minister on December 12.It claims Spain to be a social and democratic state governed by law and declares liberty,justice,equality and political pluralism to be the most important values in the country.It defined Spain as a parliamentary monarchy with no official religion where the head of state reigns but does not rule.It announced the end of the death penalty ,an extension of suffrage and a limited role for the army and the church.
It also granted the right for autonomous communities in Spain.The Basque country was one of the first to be recognised.The nation is openly multi-lingual.The right of regional dialects is explicit in the constitution.This was a point which was not liked by the right wing who saw it as devisive.It is still a source of argument today.December 6 is a national holiday which celebrates the “Dia de la Constitucion”.This year,2009,is its 30th anniversary.
