Spain

Congress of DeputiesSenate

Congress of Deputies

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 66.2, 109, 110, 111
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 66.2, 109, 110, 111
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Number of written questions asked, per year
26,595 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
25,797 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Notes
Annual totals combine questions asked/answered by both chambers and include questions processed and answered completely, even if an agreement or decision was not reached.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 111
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
(2022)
See historical data for this field.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament approves a nomination for the Head of Government
Notes
After renewal of the Congress, the King consults with representatives appointed by the political groups with Parliamentary representation, and through the Speaker, nominates a candidate for President of the Government. The candidate is then appointed by the King once a vote of confidence has been obtained from the Congress.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 99
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Notes
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy and access to the Head of State is hereditary.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 56 and 57

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Article 113, The Constitution.
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
The Head of Government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 101, 112-114
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No
Dissolving chambers
Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Upper chamber
Notes
Constitution, Article 115: The President of the Government, after deliberation with the Council of Ministers, may propose the dissolution of Congress, the Senate or the Cortes Generales, which will be decreed by the King.