Communities of chartered regime facts for kids
The constitution of Spain of 1978 allowed different parts of Spain to govern themselves. These areas are called autonomous communities. Spain has many of these communities, and they are the main way the country is divided. The idea was that each region could get different powers from the central government, depending on its history and needs.
One big difference was for areas that had special old rules called fueros. These rules were like special agreements or privileges. The territories of Álava, Gipuzkoa, Biscay, and Navarre had these fueros. Álava, Gipuzkoa, and Biscay joined to form the Basque Country. Navarre became its own special community called the Chartered Community of Navarre.
These fueros gave them unique powers, especially the power to manage their own money and taxes. This is called fiscal autonomy. Because of this, the Basque Country and Navarre are known as chartered communities (Spanish: comunidades de régimen foral). Other Spanish regions without this special tax power are called communities of common regime.
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Spain's Special Rules: A Look Back
For hundreds of years, from the 1100s to the 1500s, as the Kingdom of Castile grew, the Spanish kings gave special rules or "charters" (called fueros) to new areas. These fueros sometimes allowed regions to have their own customs, armies, and ways of managing money. Over time, many of these special rules were taken away. But the fueros of the Basque areas and Navarre were unique because they lasted much longer, even into the 1800s.
Challenges to the Fueros
During the 1800s, Spain's government tried to make all regions follow the same rules. They wanted to get rid of the Basque and Navarrese fueros. For example, the constitution of 1837 said all of Spain should have the same laws.
However, after the First Carlist War, a law in 1839 still recognized these fueros. But the government could change them if needed. So, in 1841, a "negotiated law" (Ley Paccionada) changed some of Navarre's fueros. It also set up a system for Navarre to manage its own money, called the convenio económico.
For the Basque provinces, a royal order in 1841 greatly reduced their fueros. It took away their legal independence. Later, in 1876, another law officially ended the fueros for the Basque provinces. But, strangely, it kept their fiscal autonomy. This was done through an "economic treaty" (concierto económico).
Fueros and the Spanish Civil War
During the Spanish Civil War, this special tax system was removed in Gipuzkoa and Biscay. This was a "punishment" for fighting against the side that won the war, led by Francisco Franco. After Franco's rule ended, new laws brought back these special tax systems.
When Spain moved towards democracy, deciding what to do with these fueros was very difficult. There were many strong debates. But in the end, the new constitution decided to recognize and "update" them. This meant they would fit within the new system of self-governing regions.
How Chartered Communities Manage Their Money
The provinces of Álava, Gipuzkoa, and Biscay used their right to self-government to form the Basque Country. This community is recognized as one of Spain's "nationalities." The Basque Country's special law, its Statute of Autonomy, says it can manage its own money. This is its fiscal autonomy.
Collecting Taxes and Contributions
What this means is that the Basque Country can create and manage its own tax rules. It collects almost all taxes that the central Spanish government usually collects. The only exceptions are taxes on imports and the value added tax.
Then, the Basque Country sends a specific amount of money to the central government. This money is called a "quota" (cupo) or "contribution" (aportación). It covers the services that the central government still provides in the Basque Country. The agreement for this system is known as a "treaty" (concierto) or "pact" (convenio).
Navarre chose not to join the Basque Country. It became self-governing based on its old fueros and the 1841 "Negotiated Law." Instead of a Statute of Autonomy, Navarre passed a special law to improve its chartered system. This law also gave Navarre its own treasury and fiscal autonomy. Like the Basque Country, Navarre collects all its taxes and then sends a "quota" to the central government.
Key Differences
The main difference is that in the Basque Country, each of the three historical territories (Álava, Gipuzkoa, and Biscay) has its own "chartered" system. These territories then work together to form the Basque Country. Navarre, however, is a single province and community. It is known as a "chartered community" (Spanish: comunidad foral) itself, rather than just an "autonomous community."
Chartered Communities in Spain's System
Spain's system of 17 autonomous communities is called the "State of the Autonomies." Most communities, 15 of them, are part of a "common regime." In these communities, the central government collects all taxes. Then, it shares the money among all communities to ensure everyone has similar resources. This is called "fiscal equalization." Richer common-regime communities give more money than they get back. Poorer communities receive more.
Since the Basque Country and Navarre collect their own taxes and only send a quota to the central government, they do not receive money back from this equalization system.
Catalonia's Demands
Catalonia is one of the regions that contributes a lot of money to the "common-regime" system. Many people and political parties in Catalonia feel this system is unfair. They believe they contribute too much compared to what they get back. They often compare their situation to other countries in Europe. Only the Community of Madrid contributes more than Catalonia.
Catalan politicians have asked for changes to the "common-regime" system. They also want full fiscal autonomy for Catalonia, just like the Basque Country and Navarre have. This idea has strong support from the people of Catalonia.
See also
- Nueva Planta decrees, which removed the fueros of the territories of the Crown of Aragon
- In Spanish: Régimen foral para niños
