Peculiarities of parliamentary control over the executivepower in Spain

Abstract

The article analyzes the parliamentary control over the executive branch in Spain. The exercise of the control function by the parliament is one of the most important components of its activity. The main purpose of parliamentary control is to identify key problems in the activities of state bodies, increase the efficiency of the public administration system and draw the attention of relevant state bodies and officials to the shortcomings identified during parliamentary control in order to eliminate them.

The main procedures of the Spanish parliament are legislative activity, parliamentary control over the activities of the executive branch, ratification of international treaties, the appointment of national referendums and some others. A study of Spanish constitutional practice and national legislation on the interaction of the legislative and executive branches of government confirms that the mechanism for reviewing the Government’s activities includes two main elements: parliamentary control and the requirement of political accountability of the Government. Parliamentary control is the responsibility of the General Cortes, both chambers, while the requirement of political responsibility is limited to the Congress of Deputies. The lower house of parliament plays a more important role in this process, as it can only implement the requirement of political accountability of the Government. However, the Senate, excluded from the latter, may also exercise control over the Government, using in this case the full range of means provided for in the Spanish constitutional system.