Poor Spain I still wish Spain was big
Spain is actually one of the largest countries in Europe in terms of land area. It is the second largest country in Western Europe, after France. However, it is true that Spain used to have a vast overseas empire during the Age of Discovery, which included territories in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Over time, Spain lost many of these territories due to various factors. Despite this, Spain remains a culturally rich and influential country with a diverse history and heritage.
When did Spain stop having a king rule them
Spain is a constitutional monarchy, which means it has a king but operates under a parliamentary system. The monarchy was abolished in 1931 and Spain became a republic. However, during the Spanish Civil War that started in 1936, General Francisco Franco rose to power and established a dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975. After Franco's death, Spain transitioned to a constitutional monarchy once again, and King Juan Carlos I became the head of state. The current king of Spain is King Felipe VI, who ascended to the throne in 2014. So, Spain has had kings ruling them throughout its history, with the exception of the period between 1931 and 1975.
So Spain does not have a president
That's correct. In Spain, the head of state is the king, while the head of government is the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, also known as the President of the Government (Presidente del Gobierno), is the highest-ranking official in the Spanish government and is responsible for leading the executive branch. The role of the Prime Minister is similar to that of a president in other countries, as they are responsible for the day-to-day governance and decision-making.
So the prime minister can't do anything with out the kings permission? Can he? This like making new laws
In Spain, the Prime Minister has significant power and authority to govern the country and lead the executive branch. However, as a constitutional monarchy, the King has a symbolic and ceremonial role, and does not have the power to make or veto laws. The King's role is primarily representative and symbolic, and he acts as a figurehead for the country.
The Prime Minister is responsible for proposing and implementing new laws, policies, and reforms, as well as representing Spain both domestically and internationally. The King's role is mostly non-political, and he typically acts on the advice and recommendations of the elected government.
It is important to note that while the King does not have direct authority over lawmaking, there may be some circumstances where he plays a constitutional role, such as appointing the Prime Minister or giving royal assent to certain legislation. However, these roles are typically ceremonial and follow constitutional conventions. The Spanish political system is designed to ensure separation of powers and democratic governance, with the Prime Minister having significant decision-making power within the executive branch.
Does Spain still have knights and is the king incharge of declaring wars and things like that
Spain does not have knights in the traditional sense of medieval knights. The concept of knights in armor and chivalry is more associated with the Middle Ages and is not present in modern Spanish society.
Regarding the declaration of wars, in Spain, the power to declare war lies with the government, specifically the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, with approval from the Spanish Parliament. The King does not have the authority to unilaterally declare war. However, the King does have a role as the symbolic head of the Spanish Armed Forces and may have ceremonial involvement in military matters.
It's important to note that in modern democratic nations, including Spain, the power to declare and engage in wars is typically vested in the elected government rather than the monarch. The King's role is mostly symbolic and representative, and he acts within the boundaries of the Spanish Constitution and the democratic system.