CapitalMadrid Independenciathe Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Moslem occupation that began in the early 8th Century A. D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain Feriado nacionalHispanic Day, 12 Octubre Constitución6 Diciembre 1978, efectiva 29 Diciembre 1978 Sufragio18 años de edad; universal Poder Executivojefe de estado: King JUAN CARLOS I (desde 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968
jefe de gobierno: Presidente of the Government Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (desde 5 May 1996); First Vice Presidente (and Minister of Interior) Mariano Rajoy BREY (desde 27 April 2000) and Second Vice Presidente (and Minister of Economy) Rodrigo RATO Figaredo (desde 5 May 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president
note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government
elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly; election last held 12 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president
election results: Jose Maria AZNAR Lopez (PP) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 44.54%; note - the Popular Party (PP) obtained an absolute majority of seats in both the Congress of Deputies and the Senate as a result of the March 2000 elections |
