The Value of the Senate: Patent and Latent Functions

Abstract

The Senate, in an evident way (patent) has legislative, accountability and budgetarian functions attributed. But, in addition, in a not so visible way (latent ), the Senate delivers an efficient second lecture in legislative procedures; works in committees and subcommittees on capital issues for democracy (see Annex) and strengthens the constitutional system of political parties, completing the role of Congress of Deputies in that mission for general interest.

For these reasons, a hypothetical constitutional reform of Senate shouldn’t abandon its democratic composition (senators elected by people, in combination with senators elected by the regional parliaments), but does should enlarge its legislative power, in a way that the upper House is the Chamber of initiative for law drafts directly touching the powers attributed to the Autonomous Communities and city councils.