1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:09,900 Good morning, guys! I'm Tamara and I'm going to tell you a little about Spain's political system. 2 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:14,039 As you know, Spain is a democracy. 3 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:22,600 This means that citizens can vote for the political party or group of politicians they would like to govern the country. 4 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:30,879 Many democracies are based on a constitution, a document containing basic laws or principles for a country. 5 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:39,460 The Spanish constitution guarantees fundamental rights and includes our responsibilities as citizens. 6 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:44,259 Can you think of any example of rights and responsibilities? 7 00:00:44,259 --> 00:00:57,159 Yes, education and health are rights and taking care of the environment and be kind to animals are some of our responsibilities. 8 00:00:58,579 --> 00:01:01,700 Another right that we have is to vote. 9 00:01:02,380 --> 00:01:05,519 Elections are a fundamental part of a democracy. 10 00:01:06,180 --> 00:01:10,200 They allow people to choose who will represent them in government. 11 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:15,659 In Spain, every citizen over the age of 18 can vote. 12 00:01:17,159 --> 00:01:25,700 Once the date of an election is decided, political parties choose their candidates and organize an election campaign. 13 00:01:26,219 --> 00:01:32,519 The percentage of people who vote is called turnout and it can vary. 14 00:01:35,159 --> 00:01:37,879 When you get older, don't forget to vote. 15 00:01:37,879 --> 00:01:42,920 It's a right, but it's also a responsibility 16 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:49,480 Do you know that the Constitution establishes the separation of powers? 17 00:01:50,599 --> 00:01:56,620 Different powers are exercised by three different parts or branches of government 18 00:01:56,620 --> 00:02:05,340 Can you think of why the legislative branch can be divided in the parliament? 19 00:02:05,340 --> 00:02:14,159 It makes the laws, approves the government's budget and monitors the government's activity, and it is divided into two chambers. 20 00:02:14,719 --> 00:02:24,259 The Congress, where proposed laws are introduced, debated and passed, and the Senate, which approves, amends or rejects laws passed by the Congress. 21 00:02:30,689 --> 00:02:34,409 The judicial power is exercised by the judiciary. 22 00:02:34,409 --> 00:02:41,409 This is made up of judges and magistrates who administer justice in courts and tribunals. 23 00:02:42,430 --> 00:02:49,409 The judiciary is responsible for interpreting laws, deciding when a law has been broken and imposing punishment. 24 00:02:54,229 --> 00:03:00,250 The Constitution ensures that judges are impartial and also independent. 25 00:03:09,199 --> 00:03:11,539 What about the executive branch? 26 00:03:11,539 --> 00:03:28,340 The executive power is exercised by the national government, which implements the law and is responsible for domestic and foreign policy, also for civil and military administration and defense. 27 00:03:29,659 --> 00:03:34,280 The government consists of the prime minister and ministers. 28 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:38,340 The prime minister is the head of the government. 29 00:03:38,340 --> 00:03:43,340 Do you know who is the prime minister of Spain nowadays? 30 00:03:44,939 --> 00:03:51,340 I'm sure you've seen him on the TV recently because of the COVID situation. 31 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:54,400 It is Pedro Sánchez. 32 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:59,699 When countries organize, they have three ways to form a government. 33 00:04:00,379 --> 00:04:02,280 First, an absolute majority. 34 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:08,139 It's when a party has more deputies than all the other parties added together. 35 00:04:08,340 --> 00:04:15,340 Second, a coalition government, is when two or more parties formally agree to form a government 36 00:04:15,340 --> 00:04:16,339 together. 37 00:04:16,339 --> 00:04:22,399 And third, a minority government, is when a party forms a government without an absolute 38 00:04:22,399 --> 00:04:23,399 majority. 39 00:04:23,399 --> 00:04:27,699 They need the informal support of other parties to post laws. 40 00:04:27,699 --> 00:04:30,019 I hope you enjoy it, bye bye!