Similariteies and differences between the UK and Spanish system of government PDF

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Similarities and differences between the UK and Spanish system of government Both Spain and the United Kingdom are European countries that share the same Christian roots. Although they have followed very different paths they both have evolved into fully democratic societies and underpinned by common values such as those of personal freedom and the rule of law. That said there are major differences between them due to their particular historical progress, such as their particular government systems. Similarities As of today Spain and the UK are parliamentary monarchies where the sovereign plays a symbolic role but does not have any legal power. Both in Spain and the UK the government has, over the years, accumulated increased powers through secondary legislation that does not have to be approved by Parliament.The head of government (Prime Minister in the UK and President in Spain) has the ability to dissolve Parliament and call on elections with maximum intervals of 5 years in the UK and 4 years in Spain. Members of the Parliament are elected through universal suffrage of those over 18 years of age in both countries. Albeit with significant differences the powers of Executive Parliament and Judiciary are separate and reasonably well defined both in Spain and the UK. The Prime Minister is chosen by members of the House of Commons and once elected he chooses his/her cabinet, made up of either MPs or members of the House of Lord. In Spain the President must also command a majority in the lower chambers (Congreso de los Diputados) in order to be elected but he can freely choose his ministers even if they are not “diputados” or members of the Senate. Both in Spain and the UK Legislative branches are bicameral; in Spain the second chamber is the Senate, also chosen through universal suffrage, whereas in the UK the second chamber it is the House of Lords with a mixed composition ( hereditary peers and those elected by the government). Differences One of the main differences between Spain and the UK is that the second does not have a written Constitution. In Spain the Constitution restrains, considerably, the powers of the Executive. It is guideline on how the government should act. In the UK there is an unwritten Constitution and legal guidelines are set partly by statutes, common law and practice. Any government with a parliamentary majority has a wider range of power because of this. In theory there are very few constraints as to

what Parliament can and cannot do, other than its previous legislation. One of the consequences is where as Spain has a Constitutional Court appointed by Parliament, in order to ensure that legislation does not infringe the Constitution, the UK does not have similar body as there is not a “Supreme Law” other than that passed by Parliament. The UK’s actions can be challenged through a process called Judicial Review. As for the Judicial Branch of power in Spain a high degree of political influence is present especially in bodies like the Supreme Court as most members are chosen by the Parliament. In the UK the judicial power is fully independent as judges are appointed by the Judicial Appointment Commission without government intervention. There are many other differences. Some affect the way political members are elected and maintained through political mandates. Both in the UK and in Spain civil workers are chosen through competitive processes but in Spain managing directors of public departments or higher ranks are changed with every government shift. As for the UK, there is more permanence in the position....