Spain’s Political and Administrative Structure: Regional Policies and European Integration

Posted on Dec 2, 2024 in Geography

Political-Administrative Divisions

The Municipality

Its function is to serve residents. The government comprises the mayor and council, elected by the residents.

The Province

A territorial entity formed by municipalities. Its role is to promote provincial interests, provide services, and coordinate them. The provincial government comprises the deputation (Chairman and Members) chosen from elected councilors.

The Autonomous Region

A territorial entity formed by provinces or islands, endowed with legislative autonomy and governing capacity.

Formation of the Autonomous State

Period Autonomic

President Adolfo Suarez granted provisional self-governing status to various regions during the Constitution’s development, forming a map with fourteen pre-autonomies.

The Period of Autonomy

Began after the Constitution’s promulgation, recognizing the unity of the Spanish nation and the right to autonomy of nationalities.

Constitutional terms allowed bordering provinces with shared history to become autonomous. The Constitution outlined two paths: Article 151 allowed for acquiring more powers, while Article 143 granted certain powers immediately, requiring a five-year period.

  • Catalonia, Basque Country, and Galicia joined via Article 151.
  • Andalusia joined via Article 151.
  • Navarra opted for “Enhancement of Jurisdiction,” adding powers granted by Article 151 to existing ones.
  • Remaining communities joined via Article 143. Autonomic initiative required agreement from all Provincial Councils.
  • Ceuta and Melilla became autonomous municipalities without legislative capacity.

Organization of Autonomous States

  • Each autonomous region is governed by its Statute of Autonomy, approved by Parliament. It defines the name, territorial limits, organization, and autonomous bodies.
  • Communities may assume exclusive (applicable laws and legislation) or shared competences with the State in various fields established by the Constitution.

Powers assumed by communities: political, economic, infrastructure and transportation, land use, social and health, cultural, sporting, and leisure activities.

Institutions of an Autonomous Community

  • The Autonomous Parliament: Prepares legislation, approves the budget, and controls the regional executive.
  • The Governing Council: The executive power, comprising the President, elected by Parliament.
  • The High Court: The ultimate judicial representation. Appeals go to the Supreme and Constitutional courts.

Each community has an autonomous government delegate.

Financing of Autonomous Communities

  • Common communities: Financed by own revenue and state-granted taxation.
  • Foral regime (Basque Country and Navarra): Provinces are financed by tax revenue collected by their tax administration.
  • Inter-territorial Compensation Fund (FFCI): Prevents territorial imbalances by contributing income to disadvantaged communities.

The autonomous territorial state is based on equality and solidarity, meaning statutes cannot contain privileges or discrimination in tax matters.

Basis of Regional Policy

Spain’s regional policy (1986) stemmed from Development Plans (1964-1975) promoting industry in backward areas. Three factors marked the new policy:

  • Implementing the principle of territorial solidarity.
  • Establishing and developing the autonomous state.
  • Joining the European Community.

These factors shaped the new policy, diminishing the state’s past prominence.

Objectives of European Regional Policy (2007-2013)

Aims to strengthen regional competitiveness amidst globalization, boost the knowledge economy (R&D, information society, innovation), and improve the social model within sustainable development.

Objectives

  • Convergence: Bringing less developed regions closer to advanced ones.
    • Pure Convergence Regions: GDP below 75% of EU average (Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Galicia).
    • Transitional Support Convergence Regions: Exited Convergence objective due to declining European average (Asturias, Murcia).
  • Regional Competitiveness and Employment: Improving regional competitiveness and employment.
    • Pure Competitiveness and Employment Regions: GDP above 75% of EU average (Cantabria, Navarra, Basque Country, La Rioja, Aragon, Catalonia, Madrid, Baleares).
    • Transitional Support Competitiveness and Employment Regions: Were among least developed regions before 2007 (Castilla y León, Valencia, Canarias). Canarias receives 44.4% of the outermost regions (ORs) fund.

Instruments of European Regional Policy (Transient)

  • ERDF (European Regional Development Fund): Finances investments to reduce regional imbalances, providing funds to convergence regions.
  • ESF (European Social Fund): Funds actions for human resource development, unemployment prevention, and improved employment access.
  • Cohesion Fund: Finances public investments in environment and trans-European transport networks in countries with GDP below 90%.

Impact of European Regional Policy

  • Transferred sovereignty to the European Union, requiring it to be informed of and approve/amend/prohibit regional development policies.
  • Provided subsidies that fostered Spanish convergence with Europe, increasing GDP and employment.
  • Reduced regional imbalances by focusing on neediest regions.

Objectives of State Regional Policy

  • Achieve balanced regional development.
  • Empower disadvantaged regions.
  • Promote endogenous potential.

Strategies

  • Consolidate growth in dynamic areas like Madrid.
  • Halt the decline of the Cantabrian region.
  • Encourage the southern Mediterranean axis (Andalusia and Murcia).
  • Support other regions through major investments.