Section 155 of the Spanish Constitution. The Order of the Spanish Senate of 27th of October, 2017.

Authors

  • José María Lafuente Balle Universidad de Girona.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5944/rdp.103.2018.23198

Keywords:

Federal coercion, constitutional ambiguity, disobedience, autonomous institutions, discretionary government powers

Abstract

Abstract:
Section 155 of the Spanish Constitution regulates federal coercion by means of a text inspired in section 37 of the Fundamental Law of Bonn, although the former presents some important differences, especially due to the different electoral configuration of the Spanish Senate and the Bundesrat. The wording of section 155 is a good example of the characteristic ambiguity of constitutional texts. Its interpretation suffers from a lack of legislative development and former  precedents. By means of the Order of 27th of October, 2017, the Spanish Senate has applied for the first time section 155, understanding that the Catalan Generalitat had violated the Constitution. The authorization given to the Spanish Government entailed the dismissal of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia and the dissolution of the Autonomous Parliament. Two motions have been filed,
one by the parliamentary group Unidos-Podemos, and another by the Diputación
Permanenteof the Parliament of Catalonia. This paper tackles the legal analysis of section 155, and risks predicting the future ruling of the Spanish Constitutional Court.

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Author Biography

José María Lafuente Balle, Universidad de Girona.

Profesor titular Derecho Constitucional. Universidad de Girona.
Facultad de Derecho. Campus Montilivi. 17003 – GIRONA

Published

2018-12-16

How to Cite

Lafuente Balle, J. M. (2018). Section 155 of the Spanish Constitution. The Order of the Spanish Senate of 27th of October, 2017. Revista de Derecho Político, 1(103), 77–116. https://doi.org/10.5944/rdp.103.2018.23198

Issue

Section

ESTUDIOS/STUDIES

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