Day of the Constitution of Spain
Description:
On December 15, 1976, a law on political reform in Spain was passed, ending the political system of Francoism and giving rise to the activities of the Constituent Cortes, which culminated in the adoption of a new Constitution.
On December 6, 1978, the Spanish people adopted the national constitution in a general referendum. Of the nearly 27 million Spaniards eligible to vote at the time, about 18 million voted, of which one and a half million voted against, and almost 700,000 ballots were invalidated.
The 1978 constitution was favorably adopted by the majority of the Spanish population and in many ways similar to the constitutions of other Western countries. It proclaims basic human rights, public freedoms, the principle of separation of powers, popular sovereignty and declares Spain a social, democratic, legal state, with a political system in the form of a parliamentary monarchy. The 1978 Constitution granted broad rights to autonomous regions. Although few Spaniards participate in the celebration of Constitution Day, the vast majority of Spaniards recall the 1978 referendum with excitement and are proud of the constitution.
Since 1978, the constitution has only been restored once, in order to give citizens of the new EU member states residing in Spain the right to vote and be elected in local elections.
“Constitution Day” in Spain is a public holiday and an extra day off. On this occasion, the National Congress of Deputies organizes an open day so that anyone can visit the Lower House of the Spanish Parliament.