Government and Administration
The Spanish Constitution of 1978 distinguishes the political executive from the administrative machinery.
- Government (Gobierno): the political body formed by the President of the Government, the Vice-Presidents, and the Ministers, collectively meeting as the Council of Ministers.
- Administración General del Estado: the permanent administrative apparatus directed by the Government.
Article 97 defines this relationship. The Government directs domestic and foreign policy, civil and military administration, and the defence of the State. It answers politically to the Congress of Deputies.
The head of government is the President of the Government. The head of state in Spain is the King. The President is essentially a prime minister.
Investiture and Confidence
The President is invested by the Congress rather than directly elected. Furthermore, parliament can unseat an incumbent only through a constructive vote of no confidence. This mechanism requires the opposition to propose a viable alternative candidate.
The Ministerial Structure
Below the Minister, administrative authority descends through a clear hierarchy:
| Level | Role |
|---|---|
| Minister | Political head of the department |
| Secretary of State | Political appointee leading a major policy area |
| Under-secretary | Senior official running internal management |
| Director-General | Head of a functional unit |
| Sub-directorate | Permanent working tier |
Ministers and Secretaries of State are political appointees. Under-secretaries and lower ranks are typically career civil servants. The number of ministries is not fixed by the Constitution, allowing structural reorganisation by decree.
The Presidential Entourage
The Presidency of the Government provides dedicated support staff and policy advisers. The President uses these resources to drive policy coordination. Scholars refer to this growing executive dominance as presidentialisation.
Common pitfall: Confusing Spain's system with a presidential republic. The King reigns as monarch, while the prime minister relies on parliamentary support.