Spain

Congress of Deputies Senate

Senate

Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government: Yes

Sources: Constitution, art. 66.2, 109, 110, 111
Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials: Yes

Sources: Constitution, art. 66.2, 109, 110, 111
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments: No
Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments: Yes
Number of written questions asked, per year: 11,413

(2023)
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year: 10,874

(2023)

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.
Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year: 95.3%

(2023)
Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries: Yes

Sources: Constitution, art. 111
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year: 0

(2023)

Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government: 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.

Sources: Constitution, art. 99
The Head of Government is also the Head of State: No
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State: Parliament does not play a role

Notes: Spain is a parliamentary monarchy and access to the Head of State is hereditary.

Sources: Constitution, art. 56 and 57

Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: No
Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: 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.

There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: The whole Government
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber

Sources: Article 113, The Constitution.

There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: The whole Government

The Head of Government
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber

Sources: Constitution, art. 101, 112-114

Updated at	Number of written questions asked, per year
2024-01	No information available
2023-07	11,413
2023-01	No information available
2022-01	11,413
2021-01	29,495
2020-01	29,495
2019-01	5,191
2018-01	24,497
2017-01	39,897
2016-01	10,132
2015-01	31,279
2014-01	48,519
2013-01	57,394

Updated at	Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
2024-01	No information available
2023-07	10,874
2023-01	No information available
2022-01	10,874
2021-01	27,923
2020-01	27,907
2019-01	1,700
2018-01	18,866
2017-01	18,225
2016-01	2,665
2015-01	10,884
2014-01	22,046
2013-01	28,739

Updated at	Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
2024-01	No information available
2023-07	95.3%
2023-01	No information available
2022-01	95.3%
2021-01	94.7%
2020-01	94.6%
2019-01	32.7%
2018-01	77.0%
2017-01	45.7%
2016-01	26.3%
2015-01	34.8%
2014-01	45.4%
2013-01	50.1%

Updated at	Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
2024-01	No information available
2023-07	0
2023-01	No information available
2022-01	0
2021-01	0
2020-01	No information available
2019-01	4
2018-01	4
2017-01	1
2016-01	1
2015-01	0
2014-01	0
2013-01	0