The designation of the parliamentary Presidency in contemporary Spain (1810-2021)

Abstract

The work we are presenting analyses the election or designation of the parliamentary speakership in Spain from the Cortes of Cádiz (1810) to the present (2021). This election or designation in both parliamentary chambers is studied, while keeping in mind the changes that occur in the regulation of this process. For this purpose three aspects are considered: who designates the speaker of the chamber (the Crown, the Government or the parliamentarians themselves); how he is designated (by appointment or by election); and the result of the election if he is elected by the parliamentarians (how many vote, whether the election is contested or consensual). In this way the model for designating the speakership is defined keeping in mind the three above mentioned aspects, the executive’s role in this process is established, and the executive’s influence in this process with the aim of controlling the chamber is shown.