The Spanish Constitution of 1978 is the culmination of the Spanish transition to democracy .
Origins
See constitution of Spain for the constitutional history of Spain, dating back to the constitution of 1812. As part of the Spanish transition to democracy after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, a general election took place in 1977 to convene the Cortes Generales (parliament) for the purpose of drafting and approving a constitution; this was called the Cortes Constituyentes or "Constituent Cortes".
A seven-member panel was selected among the elected members of the Cortes to work on a draft of the Constitution to be submitted to the body. These so-called "Fathers of the Constitution" were:
- Gabriel Cisneros
- José Pedro Pérez-Llorca
- Miguel Herrero de Miñon
- Miquel Roca
- Manuel Fraga Iribarne
- Gregorio Peces-Barba
- Jordi Solé Tura .
The constitution was approved by the Cortes on October 31, 1978, and by the Spanish people in a referendum on December 6, 1978, before being promulgated by King Juan Carlos on December 27. December 6 has since been a national holiday in Spain.
Constitutional reforms
Main article: Amendments to the Spanish Constitution of 1978
Preamble
Writing the preamble of the constitution was considered an honour, and a task requiring great literary ability. The person chosen for this purpose was Enrique Tierno Galván . The full text of the preamble (in original Spanish and translated into English) is as follows:
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Spanish text
- La Nación española, deseando establecer la justicia, la libertad y la seguridad y promover el bien de cuantos la integran, en uso de su soberanía, proclama su voluntad de:
- Garantizar la convivencia democrática dentro de la Constitución y de las leyes conforme a un orden económico y social justo.
- Consolidar un Estado de Derecho que asegure el imperio de la ley como expresión de la voluntad popular.
- Proteger a todos los españoles y pueblos de España en el ejercicio de los derechos humanos, sus culturas y tradiciones, lenguas e instituciones.
- Promover el progreso de la cultura y de la economía para asegurar a todos una digna calidad de vida.
- Establecer una sociedad democrática avanzada, y
- Colaborar en el fortalecimiento de unas relaciones pacíficas y de eficaz cooperación entre todos los pueblos de la Tierra.
- En consecuencia, las Cortes aprueban y el pueblo español ratifica la siguiente Constitución.
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English Translation
- The Spanish Nation, wishing to establish justice, liberty and security, and to promote the welfare of all who make part of it, in use of her sovereignty, proclaims its will to:
- Guarantee democratic life within the Constitution and the laws according to a just economic and social order.
- Consolidate a State ensuring the rule of law as an expression of the will of the people.
- Protect all Spaniards and all the peoples of Spain in the exercise of human rights, their cultures and traditions, languages and institutions.
- Promote the progress of culture and the economy to ensure a dignified quality of life for all
- Establish an advanced democratic society, and
- Collaborate in the strengthening of peaceful and efficient cooperation among all the peoples of the Earth.
- Consequently, the Cortes approve and the Spanish people ratify the following Constitution.
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External links
Last updated: 10-18-2005 12:01:55
