Prime Minister of Spain facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Spain
Coat of arms of Spain
Incumbent Pedro Sánchez since 2 June 2018
Government of Spain Office of the Prime Minister
Style	The Most Excellent
Member of	Council of Ministers National Security Council European Council
Reports to	Monarch Cortes Generales
Residence	Palace of Moncloa
Seat	Madrid, Spain
Nominator	The Congress of Deputies
Appointer	The Monarch
Term length	No fixed term
Deputy	Deputy Prime Minister
Salary	€90,000 per annum

The prime minister of Spain, officially called the president of the Government (Spanish: Presidente del Gobierno), is the main leader of the Spanish government. This person chooses the ministers and leads the Council of Ministers. The prime minister sets the government's plans and makes sure the Cabinet members work well together. They also advise the King or Queen on important decisions.

We don't know exactly when the job of prime minister started. But it has changed a lot over time to become what it is today. The role of prime minister, then called Secretary of State, first appeared in 1824. This was in a royal order from King Ferdinand VII. The current job was created with the 1978 Constitution, during the time of King Juan Carlos I. This Constitution explains what the prime minister does, how they get the job, how they can be removed, and how they work with the Parliament.

When the job is empty, the King or Queen suggests a candidate. This person then needs to get a vote of confidence from the Congress of Deputies. This is the lower house of the Spanish Parliament. The Congress of Deputies chooses the head of government through this process. Usually, the prime minister is the leader of the biggest party in the Congress. The prime minister's official home and office is Moncloa Palace in Madrid.

Pedro Sánchez, from the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), has been prime minister since June 2, 2018. He first became prime minister after a successful vote against the previous prime minister, Mariano Rajoy. Sánchez has led three governments, which is a lot. King Felipe VI appointed Sánchez for the third time on November 17, 2023. This happened after he formed a coalition with other parties. His third government started on November 21, 2023.

What is the Prime Minister's Official Title?

Since 1939, the head of government in Spain has been known as "President of the Government" (Spanish: Presidente del Gobierno).

This title can be confusing for people who speak English. Spain is a monarchy, not a republic. Also, the leaders of the Parliament's chambers are also called "presidents." For example, American presidents have called Spanish prime ministers "president." While not wrong, "prime minister" is often used in English to make things clearer.

The use of "president" for this role goes back to 1834. At that time, the official title was "President of the Council of Ministers." This was like the head of government in France. This title stayed until 1939, when the Second Spanish Republic ended. Before 1834, the role was called "Secretary of State." Today, this name is used for junior ministers.

How the Prime Minister's Role Began

Spanish kings have given their power to important people since the 15th century. Two key roles were the validos and the secretaries of state. The validos were trusted advisors who acted for the King. They were sometimes called "prime minister" even back then.

In 1823, King Ferdinand VII brought back the absolute monarchy. He created the Council of Ministers, which still exists. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs led this council when the King was not there. This person acted as prime minister. The Royal Statute of 1834 made this role official. It called the position "President of the Council of Ministers."

During the 19th century, the name of the job changed often. After the Glorious Revolution of 1868, it was called "President of the Provisional Government." In 1869, it went back to "President of the Council of Ministers." During the First Spanish Republic (1873–1874), it was "President of the Executive Power." This person was also the head of state. In 1874, the name went back to "President of the Council of Ministers."

Since it started, the King or Queen has always chosen and removed the prime minister. Later constitutions also confirmed this royal power.

With the end of the First Republic, the Bourbon family returned to the throne. The job kept its name until the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. Then it was called "President of the Military Directory." In 1925, the original name was restored.

Adolfo Suárez giving his first speech to the Congress of Deputies in 1979.

The Republican Constitution of 1931 said the prime minister was chosen by the President of the Republic. But they were also responsible to the Parliament. During the Spanish Civil War, the head of government for the Nationalists was called "Chief of the Government of the State." In 1938, it got its current name, "President of the Government." But from 1938 to 1973, Francisco Franco held this job as dictator.

In 1973, Franco separated the head of state from the head of government. This separation still exists today. The prime minister is now chosen by the Parliament through a democratic vote. Adolfo Suárez was the first democratically chosen prime minister after Franco. King Juan Carlos I first appointed him in 1976. He was then confirmed by a public vote in the 1977 Spanish general election.

How the Prime Minister is Chosen

After a general election, political parties choose their candidates for prime minister. This is usually the party leader. The old prime minister leaves office the day after the election. But they stay in charge as a caretaker until the new one is sworn in.

The Congress of Deputies after the general election in July 2023.

After the election, the King or Queen meets with the leaders of the political parties. They also talk with the Speaker of the Congress of Deputies. Then, the King or Queen suggests a candidate for prime minister. This process is explained in the Constitution.

Usually, the King or Queen nominates the leader of the party with the most seats in Congress. This shows royal support for the democratic process. Sometimes, if no party has a clear majority, rival parties might form a coalition. This happened in 2018 when Pedro Sánchez became prime minister.

The King's order naming a candidate is signed by the Speaker of the Congress. The candidate then presents their plans to the Congress of Deputies. This is called a parliamentary investiture. The candidate gives a speech about their goals. Then, the Congress votes to show if they trust the candidate. This is how the head of government is chosen indirectly.

To win, the candidate needs a majority of votes in the first round (176 out of 350 MPs). If they don't get enough votes, a second vote happens two days later. For the second vote, they just need more "yes" votes than "no" votes. If they still don't win, the King meets with party leaders again and suggests a new candidate. If no one wins the Congress's trust within two months, the King dissolves Parliament. Then, new general elections are called.

The Palace of Moncloa is where the prime minister lives and works.

Taking the Oath of Office

Once the candidate is confirmed, the Speaker tells the King. The King then officially appoints the new prime minister. The Speaker also signs this appointment.

The swearing-in ceremony happens at the Royal Palace of Zarzuela. The new prime minister takes an oath of office. They place their right hand on an open Constitution. Since 2014, they can choose if they want a Bible and a crucifix nearby.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero taking his oath in 2008. He chose to place his hand on the Constitution, not the Bible.

Some prime ministers, like Pedro Sánchez, choose not to use religious symbols. They say "prometo" ("I promise"). Others, like Mariano Rajoy, use the Bible and say "juro" ("I swear"). The oath is about faithfully doing the job, being loyal to the King, and following the Constitution.

After being appointed, the prime minister forms their government. The King appoints and removes ministers based on the prime minister's advice. The King usually knows the political leaders well. This helps the process go smoothly after an election.

The Prime Minister's Constitutional Powers

Title IV of the Constitution explains the Government and its duties. The Government includes the prime minister and the ministers. They handle Spain's internal and foreign policies. They also manage the country's administration and the defense. They do all this in the name of the King, for the people. The government also has executive power and makes rules. The main group that makes decisions is the Council of Ministers. The prime minister leads this council.

The Spanish Constitution does not clearly give the government special emergency powers. However, the Constitution says the King "arbitrates and moderates the regular functioning of the institutions." This means the King or government ministers might use special authority during a national crisis. For example, the King used his power to stop a coup attempt in 1981.

Prime Minister Rodríguez Zapatero signing a constitutional change in 2011.

The prime minister is responsible for most of the King's actions. The King has executive power, but his actions are not valid unless a minister signs them. This minister, usually the prime minister, takes political responsibility. The prime minister can ask the King to call a referendum or new elections. They can also ask to dissolve Parliament. Ministers cannot force the prime minister to resign. The prime minister alone can ask Congress for a vote of confidence. The prime minister is also the only one responsible for challenging a law's constitutionality.

The Prime Minister's Office

The Moncloa Government Complex seen from a university.

The Office of the Prime Minister (Spanish: Presidencia del Gobierno) is a group of government departments. They help the prime minister do their job. This office started around 1834. Today, it works like a ministerial department. About 2,000 people work there.

The main parts of the Prime Minister's Office are:

• The Ministry of the Presidency.
  • The Secretariat of State for Relations with the Cortes and Constitutional Affairs.
  • The Secretariat of State for Democratic Memory.
• The Cabinet Office, led by the Moncloa Chief of Staff.
  • The General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Government.
  • The Department of National Security.
• The Office for Economic Affairs and G20.
• The Secretariat of State for Press.

The Patrimonio Nacional agency, which manages royal properties, also works under this Office.

Security and Transportation

The symbol of the Prime Minister's security department.

The Cabinet Office handles security and official events. It has a Department of Security for the Presidency of the Government (DSPG). This department works with the National Police and the Civil Guard. They protect the prime minister and their family. They also protect the buildings and staff at the Moncloa Government Complex.

The prime minister's vehicles come from the State Vehicle Fleet. This agency provides cars and trained drivers to the government. For air travel, the prime minister uses planes from the 45th Air Force Group and helicopters from the 402nd Air Force Squadron.

Leaving Office and Parliament Dissolution

Parliament, and therefore the Government, serves for a term of no more than four years. Before this time, the prime minister can resign. If the prime minister resigns and asks the King to dissolve Parliament, the King will call for a snap election. This election cannot happen sooner than one year after the last general election.

Mariano Rajoy greeting Pedro Sánchez after Sánchez won a vote of no confidence in 2018.

If a prime minister resigns without calling new elections, dies, or becomes unable to do the job, the whole government resigns. Then, the process of choosing a new prime minister begins. The deputy prime minister takes over temporarily. If the four years pass and the prime minister has not dissolved Parliament, the King must dissolve it and call new elections.

Parliament can also force the prime minister to resign in two ways. They can pass a motion of no confidence or reject a motion of confidence. In a motion of no confidence, Parliament must also suggest a new prime minister. If the motion passes, the suggested candidate automatically becomes the new prime minister. In 2018, Pedro Sánchez successfully used a vote of no confidence to become prime minister.

In a motion of confidence, the prime minister asks Congress to confirm trust in their policies. If Congress does not give confidence, the prime minister must resign. Adolfo Suárez in 1980 and Felipe González in 1990 both proposed votes of confidence and won.

Rank, Benefits, and How to Address the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister is the second most important person in Spain. They rank higher than all other state officials, except for members of the royal family.

In 2023, the Prime Minister earned €90,010. They also received €13,422 as a member of Parliament. The prime minister is not the highest-paid official in Spain. The King, the Queen, and the Queen Mother earn more. Other officials like the president of Congress and the Supreme Court also earn more.

The prime minister is protected from regular lawsuits. They do not have legal immunity like the King. However, the prime minister and other high-ranking officials can only be tried by the Supreme Court.

It is customary to address the prime minister as "The Most Excellent" (Spanish: Excelentísimo Señor or Spanish: Excelentísima Señora). This title is also used for government ministers. It is reinforced because the prime minister becomes a Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III upon taking office.

Deputy Prime Minister

Joaquín María Ferrer y Cafranga was the first deputy prime minister in Spain (1840-1841).

The Spanish Constitution allows for a deputy prime minister. It also allows for more than one deputy prime minister. The position has existed on and off since 1840. In 1967, a law made it possible to appoint more than one deputy. In 1974, Prime Minister Carlos Arias Navarro appointed three deputies.

Since then, other prime ministers have also had more than one deputy. Pedro Sánchez's second government had four deputies, which is the most ever. This was seen by some as a way to reduce the power of his second deputy, Pablo Iglesias Turrión.

Who Takes Over if the Prime Minister Dies?

If the prime minister dies, the 1997 Government Act says the Deputy Prime Minister takes over. If there is more than one, the deputies take over in their order. If there is no deputy prime minister, the ministers take over. They follow a specific order.

The first in line would be the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Then comes the Minister of Justice, followed by the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of Finance. These four ministries were the first important offices created in 1714.

Order of Charles III

Juan Bravo Murillo, prime minister from 1851 to 1852, wearing the sash of the Order of Charles III.

The Order of Charles III is Spain's highest civilian honor. King Charles III created it in 1771. The prime minister becomes the Grand Chancellor of the Order when they take office. This means they are second only to the King, who is the Grand Master.

When a new prime minister takes office, they receive the rank of Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order. As Grand Chancellor, they help approve royal decrees for other awards. Their signature, along with the King's, must be on all titles of the Order.

Retirement Honors and Benefits

When a prime minister retires, the King usually gives them an honor. They often receive the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic. This is the second highest civilian honor. Ministers usually receive the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III. This is because the prime minister already has the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III.

The King might also offer a former prime minister a noble title. This is a high honor. The new prime minister usually signs the royal decree for this title.

Many noble titles were given to prime ministers before King Alfonso XIII. During his reign, it became a custom. King Alfonso XIII gave sixteen noble titles to former prime ministers or their families. King Juan Carlos I wanted to bring back this tradition. He gave noble titles to Adolfo Suárez (Duke of Suárez) and Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo (Marquess of the Ría de Ribadeo). Felipe González was offered a noble title but said no. Since then, no prime minister has been offered such an honor.

Staff, Salary, and Office After Retirement

In 1983, the government created a "Statute of Former Prime Ministers." This law gave retired prime ministers an office for four years. They got two civil servants, money for office expenses, and an official car with a driver.

Nine years later, the law was updated. It removed the time limit for these benefits. Former prime ministers now get diplomatic help abroad and security. They also get a personal salary for two years after leaving office. They receive free public transportation and money for office expenses.

Since 2004, retired prime ministers can have a seat in the Council of State for life. As of 2023, only Jose María Aznar and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero have used this privilege.

For 2023, each living former prime minister receives €74,580 to help run their offices.

Recent Prime Ministers of Spain

Timeline of Prime Ministers (1975-Present)

Images for kids

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  Prime Minister Rodríguez Zapatero signing a constitutional change in 2011.

See also

In Spanish: Presidente del Gobierno de España para niños

• Elections in Spain
• List of prime ministers of Spain
• Politics of Spain
• Cabinet Office (Spain)