HEAD OF STATE

Article 41.The flag of Spain consists of three horizontal stripes: red, yellow and red, the yellow stripe being double the width of each red stripe.

Artículo 2.– Ámbito territorial.El territorio de la Comunidad de Castilla y León comprende el de los municipios integrados en las actuales provincias de Ávila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid y Zamora.Artículo 6.– Símbolos de la Comunidad y fiesta oficial.1. Los símbolos de identidad exclusiva de la Comunidad de Castilla y León son el blasón, la bandera, el pendón y el himno de Castilla y León.2. La fiesta oficial de la Comunidad es el 23 de abril.3. El blasón de Castilla y León es un escudo timbrado por corona real abierta, cuartelado en cruz o contracuartelado. El primer y cuarto cuarteles: en campo de gules, un castillo de oro almenado de tres almenas, mamposteado de sable y clarado de azur. El segundo y tercer cuarteles: en campo de plata, un león rampante de púrpura, linguado, uñado y armado de gules, coronado de oro.4. La bandera de Castilla y León es cuartelada y contiene los símbolos de Castilla y León, conforme se han descrito en el apartado anterior. La bandera ondeará en todos los centros y actos oficiales de la Comunidad, a la derecha de la bandera española.5. El pendón vendrá constituido por el escudo cuartelado sobre un fondo carmesí tradicional.6. Cada provincia y municipio conservarán las banderas y emblemas que les son tradicionales.7. El himno y los demás símbolos de la Comunidad de Castilla y León se regularán mediante ley específica.8. La protección jurídica de los símbolos de Castilla y León es la que corresponde a los símbolos del Estado

Artículo 43.– Organización territorial.1. Castilla y León se organiza territorialmente en municipios, provincias y demás entidades locales que con tal carácter puedan crearse conforme a la ley. 2. Las entidades locales de Castilla y León se regirán por los principios de autonomía, suficiencia financiera, competencia, coordinación, cooperación, responsabilidad, subsidiariedad y lealtad institucional. 3. La Comunidad y las entidades locales de Castilla y León promoverán la cohesión y el equilibrio de todos sus territorios, con especial atención a las zonas periféricas y a las más despobladas y desfavorecidas.

PART IIIThe Cortes GeneralesCHAPTER ONEThe Houses of ParliamentArticle 661. The Cortes Generales represent the Spanish people and consist of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate. 2. The Cortes Generales exercise the legislative power of the State, approve its Budget, control Government action and hold all the other powers vested in them by the Constitution. 3. The Cortes Generales are inviolable.

Article 691. The Senate is the House of territorial representation. 2. In each province, four Senators shall be elected by the voters thereof by universal, free, equal, direct and secret suffrage, under the terms established by an organic law. 3. In the islands provinces, each island or group of islands with a «Cabildo» or Island Council shall constitute an electoral district for the purpose of electing Senators, of whom there shall be three for each of the larger islands –Gran Canaria, Mallorca and Tenerife– and one for each of the following islands or groups of islands: Ibiza-Formentera, Menorca, Fuerteventura, Gomera, Hierro, Lanzarote and La Palma. 4. The cities of Ceuta and Melilla shall each elect two Senators. 5. The Autonomous Communities shall, moreover, nominate one Senator and a further Senator for each million inhabitants in their respective territories. The nomination shall be incumbent upon the Leg-islative Assembly or, in default thereof, upon the Autonomous Commu-nity’s highest corporate body, in accordance with the provisions of the Statutes, which shall, in any case, guarantee adequate proportional rep-resentation. 6. The Senate is elected for four years. The Senators’ term of office shall end four years after their election or on the day that the House is dissolved.

Article 1171. Justice emanates from the people and is administered on behalf of the King by Judges and Magistrates of the Judiciary who shall be independent, irremovable, and liable and subject only to the rule of law. 34 Dissolution of the Houses State of alarm State of emergency State of siege Independence of justice2. Judges and Magistrates may only be dismissed, suspended, transferred or retired on the grounds, and subject to the guarantees provided by law.3. The exercise of judicial authority in any kind of action, both in passing judgment and having judgments executed, lies exclusively within the competence of the Courts and Tribunals established by the law, in accordance with the rules of jurisdiction and procedure which may be established therein.4. The Courts and Tribunals shall exercise only the powers indicated in the foregoing clause and those which are expressly allocated to them by law as a guarantee of some right.5. The principle of jurisdictional unity is the basis of the organisation and operation of the Courts. The law shall regulate the exercise of military jurisdiction strictly within military limits and in cases of state of siege (martial law), in accordance with the principles of the Constitution.6. Courts of exception are prohibited. 

Artículo 20.– Carácter.1. Las Cortes de Castilla y León representan al pueblo de Castilla y León y ejercen en su nombre, con arreglo a la Constitución y al presente Estatuto, los poderes y atribuciones que les corresponden.2. Las Cortes de Castilla y León son inviolables.Artículo 24.– Atribuciones. Corresponde a las Cortes de Castilla y León: 1. Ejercer la potestad legislativa de la Comunidad en los términos establecidos por la Constitución, por el presente Estatuto y por las leyes del Estado que les atribuyan tal potestad. 2. Controlar e impulsar la acción política y de gobierno de la Junta y de su Presidente. 3. Aprobar los Presupuestos de la Comunidad y los de las propias Cortes, así como la rendición anual de cuentas de ambos. 4. Elegir de entre sus miembros al Presidente de la Junta de Castilla y León. 5. Designar a los Senadores que han de representar a la Comunidad, según lo previsto en el artículo 69.5 de la Constitución. Los Senadores serán designados en proporción al número de miembros de los grupos políticos representados en las Cortes de Castilla y León.6. Solicitar del Gobierno la adopción de un proyecto de ley, o remitir a la Mesa del Congreso de los Diputados una proposición de ley en los términos que establece el artículo 87, apartado 2, de la Constitución. 7. Interponer recursos de inconstitucionalidad, de acuerdo con lo que establece el artículo 162, apartado 1.a), de la Constitución, y la Ley Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional. 8. Ejercitar la iniciativa de reforma de la Constitución, en los términos previstos en la misma. 9. Facilitar al Gobierno las previsiones de índole política, social y económica a que se refiere el artículo 131, apartado 2, de la Constitución. 10. Establecer y exigir tributos de acuerdo con la Constitución, el presente Estatuto y las correspondientes leyes del Estado. 11. Aprobar transferencias de competencias de la Comunidad a los municipios, provincias y otras entidades locales de la misma, salvo lo que determina el presente Estatuto o disponga una previa ley de la propia Comunidad. 12. Ratificar los convenios que la Junta concluya con otras Comunidades Autónomas para la gestión y prestación de servicios propios de las mismas. Dichos convenios serán comunicados de inmediato a las Cortes Generales. 13. Ratificar los acuerdos de cooperación que sobre materias distintas a las mencionadas en el número anterior concluya la Junta con otras Comunidades Autónomas previa autorización de las Cortes Generales. 14. Convalidar los Decretos Leyes aprobados por la Junta, de acuerdo con lo dispuesto en el artículo 25.4 del presente Estatuto. 15. Ejercer cuantos otros poderes, competencias y atribuciones les asignen la Constitución, el presente Estatuto y las leyes.

Artículo 28.– Carácter y composición.1. La Junta de Castilla y León es la institución de gobierno y administración de la Comunidad de Castilla y León y ejerce la función ejecutiva y la potestad reglamentaria de acuerdo con el presente Estatuto y el resto del ordenamiento jurídico.2. La Junta de Castilla y León está compuesta por el Presidente, los Vicepresidentes, en su caso, y los Consejeros.3. Una ley de Castilla y León regulará la organización y composición de la Junta, así como las atribuciones y el estatuto personal de sus miembros.4. El Presidente de la Junta nombra y separa libremente a sus miembros, comunicándolo seguidamente a las Cortes de Castilla y León.5. El Presidente podrá delegar funciones ejecutivas y de representación propias en los Vicepresidentes y demás miembros de la Junta.6. El Vicepresidente o Vicepresidentes asumirán las funciones que les encomiende el Presidente de la Junta y le suplirán, por su orden, en caso de vacante, ausencia o enfermedad.Artículo 30.– Atribuciones.Corresponde a la Junta de Castilla y León:1. Ejercer el gobierno y administración de la Comunidad en el ámbito de las competencias que ésta tenga atribuidas.2. Interponer recursos de inconstitucionalidad en los términos que establece el artículo 162.1.a) de la Constitución y suscitar, en su caso, conflictos de competencia con el Estado u otra Comunidad Autónoma, según lo previsto en la Ley Orgánica del Tribunal Constitucional, personándose en estos últimos por acuerdo de las Cortes de Castilla y León o por propia iniciativa. 3. Ejercer cuantas otras competencias o atribuciones le asignen el presente Estatuto y las leyes.

Artículo 27.– Atribuciones.1. Como supremo representante de la Comunidad de Castilla y León, corresponde al Presidente de la Junta: a) Convocar elecciones a las Cortes de Castilla y León de acuerdo a lo establecido en la presente norma. b) Acordar la disolución de las Cortes de Castilla y León en los términos normativamente previstos. c) Mantener las relaciones que se consideren oportunas con los demás entes públicos. d) Firmar los convenios y acuerdos de cooperación y colaboración que suscriba la Comunidad Autónoma en los casos en los que proceda. e) Proponer, por iniciativa propia o a solicitud de los ciudadanos, de conformidad con establecido en el presente Estatuto y en la legislación del Estado y de la Comunidad, la celebración de consultas populares en el ámbito de la Comunidad, sobre decisiones políticas relativas a materias que sean de la competencia de ésta.2. Como representante ordinario del Estado en la Comunidad Autónoma, corresponde al Presidente de la Junta: a) Promulgar en nombre del Rey las leyes aprobadas por las Cortes de Castilla y León, así como ordenar su publicación en el «Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León» y la remisión para su publicación en el «Boletín Oficial del Estado».b) Ordenar la publicación en el «Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León» de los nombramientos de los altos cargos del Estado en Castilla y León. c) Solicitar la colaboración a las autoridades del Estado que ejercen funciones públicas en Castilla y León. d) Las demás que determinen las leyes.3. Como Presidente del Gobierno de Castilla y León, corresponde al Presidente de la Junta: a) Dirigir y coordinar la acción de gobierno. b) Nombrar y separar libremente a los demás miembros de la Junta. c) Convocar, presidir, fijar el orden del día de las reuniones del Consejo de Gobierno y dirigir los debates y deliberaciones, así como suspender y levantar las sesiones. d) Firmar los Decretos y Acuerdos de la Junta y ordenar, en su caso, la publicación en el «Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León».e) Solicitar dictamen del Consejo Consultivo de Castilla y León en los supuestos en que proceda. f) Ejercer cualquier otra atribución prevista por las leyes.

Artículo 47.– La provincia. 1. La provincia, como entidad local, tiene personalidad jurídica propia y capacidad plena para la gestión de sus intereses. Su gobierno y administración están encomendados a la respectiva Diputación. Constituye también división territorial para el cumplimiento de los fines de la Comunidad Autónoma.2. Las competencias de las Diputaciones se fijarán por la legislación básica del Estado y la de la Comunidad Autónoma. En todo caso las Diputaciones ejercerán competencias en el ámbito de la cooperación, asesoramiento y asistencia a municipios y otras entidades locales. Prestarán también servicios supramunicipales de carácter provincial, en el ámbito de las competencias locales, sin perjuicio de las que puedan delegarle o encomendarle las entidades locales de su ámbito territorial o la Comunidad Autónoma.

Artículo 44.– El municipio.1. El municipio es la entidad territorial básica de la Comunidad y la institución de participación más directa de los ciudadanos en los asuntos públicos. Tiene personalidad jurídica propia y plena autonomía en el ámbito de sus competencias y en la defensa de los intereses locales que representa.2. Su gobierno, representación y administración corresponde al Ayuntamiento.

Goals and values of the EUGoalsThe goals of the European Union are:promote peace, its values and the well-being of its citizensoffer freedom, security and justice without internal borderssustainable development based on balanced economic growth and price stability, a highly competitive market economy with full employment and social progress, and environmental protectioncombat social exclusion and discriminationpromote scientific and technological progressenhance economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among EU countriesrespect its rich cultural and linguistic diversityestablish an economic and monetary union whose currency is the euro.ValuesThe EU values are common to the EU countries in a society in which inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity and non-discrimination prevail. These values are an integral part of our European way of life:Human dignityHuman dignity is inviolable. It must be respected, protected and constitutes the real basis of fundamental rights.FreedomFreedom of movement gives citizens the right to move and reside freely within the Union. Individual freedoms such as respect for private life, freedom of thought, religion, assembly, expression and information are protected by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.DemocracyThe functioning of the EU is founded on representative democracy. Being a European citizen also means enjoying political rights. Every adult EU citizen has the right to stand as a candidate and to vote in elections to the European Parliament. EU citizens have the right to stand as candidate and to vote in their country of residence, or in their country of origin.EqualityEquality is about equal rights for all citizens before the law. The principle of equality between women and men underpins all European policies and is the basis for European integration. It applies in all areas. The principle of equal pay for equal work became part of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Although inequalities still exist, the EU has made significant progress.Rule of lawThe EU is based on the rule of law. Everything the EU does is founded on treaties, voluntarily and democratically agreed by its EU countries. Law and justice are upheld by an independent judiciary. The EU countries gave final jurisdiction to the European Court of Justice which judgements have to be respected by all.Human rightsHuman rights are protected by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. These cover the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, the right to the protection of your personal data, and or the right to get access to justice.These goals and values form the basis of the EU and are laid out in theLisbon Treatyand theEU Charter of fundamental rights.In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.From economic to political unionThe European Union is a unique economic and political union between28 EU countriesthat together cover much of the continent.The predecessor of the EU was created in the aftermath of the Second World War. The first steps were to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries that trade with one another become economically interdependent and so more likely to avoid conflict.The result was the European Economic Community (EEC), created in 1958, and initially increasing economic cooperation between six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.Since then, 22 other members joined and a huge single market (also known as the 'internal' market) has been created and continues to develop towards its full potential.What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organization spanningpolicy areas, from climate, environment and health to external relations and security, justice and migration. A name change from the European Economic Community (EEC) to the European Union (EU) in 1993 reflected this.Stability, a single currency, mobility and growthThe EU has delivered more than half a century of peace, stability and prosperity, helped raise living standards and launched a single European currency: theeuro. More than 340 million EU citizens in 19 countries now use it as their currency and enjoy its benefits.Thanks to the abolition of border controls between EU countries, people can travel freely throughout most of the continent. And it has become much easier tolive, work and travelabroad in Europe. All EU citizens have the right and freedom to choose in which EU country they want to study, work or retire. Every EU country must treat EU citizens in exactly the same way as its own citizens for employment, social security and tax purposes.The EU's main economic engine is the single market. It enables most goods, services, money and people to move freely. The EU aims to develop this huge resource to other areas like energy, knowledge and capital markets to ensure that Europeans can draw the maximum benefit from it.Transparent and democratic institutionsThe EU remains focused on making its governinginstitutionsmore transparent and democratic. Decisions are taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen.More powers have been given to the directly electedEuropean Parliament, while national parliaments play a greater role, working alongside the European institutions.The EU is governed by the principle of representative democracy, with citizens directly represented at Union level in the European Parliament and Member States represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU.European citizens are encouraged to contribute to the democratic life of the Union bygiving their viewson EU policies during their development or suggest improvements to existing laws and policies. TheEuropean citizens' initiativeempowers citizens to have a greater say on EU policies that affect their lives. Citizens can also submitcomplaintsand enquiries concerning theapplication of EU law.The EU in the worldTradeThe European Union is the largesttradeblock in the world. It is the world's biggest exporter of manufactured goods and services, and the biggest import market for over 100 countries.Free trade among its members was one of the EU's founding principles. This is possible thanks to the single market. Beyond its borders, the EU is also committed to liberalising world trade.Humanitarian aidThe EU is committed to helping victims of man-made and natural disasters worldwide and supports over 120 million people each year. Collectively, the EU and its constituent countries are the world's leading donor ofhumanitarian aid.Diplomacy and securityThe EU plays an important role indiplomacyand works to foster stability, security and prosperity, democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law at international level. 

Role: Directly-elected EU body with legislative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibilitiesMembers: 751 MEPs (Members of the European Parliament)President: Antonio TajaniEstablished in: 1952 as Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, 1962 as European Parliament, first direct elections in 1979Location: Strasbourg (France), Brussels (Belgium), Luxembourg

Role: Promotes the general interest of the EU by proposing and enforcing legislation as well as by implementing policies and the EU budgetMembers: A team or 'College' of Commissioners, 1 from each EU countryPresident: Jean-Claude JunckerYear established: 1958Location: Brussels (Belgium)

Role: Ensuring EU law is interpreted and applied the same in every EU country; ensuring countries and EU institutions abide by EU law.Members:Court of Justice:1 judge from each EU country, plus 11 advocates generalGeneral Court: 47 judges. In 2019 this will be increased to 56 (2 judges from each EU country).Established in: 1952Location: Luxembourg

Role: Defines the general political direction and priorities of the European UnionMembers: Heads of state or government of EU countries, European Council President, European Commission PresidentPresident: Donald TuskEstablished in: 1974 (informal forum), 1992 (formal status), 2009 (official EU institution)Location: Brussels (Belgium)

Role: Voice of EU member governments, adopting EU laws and coordinating EU policiesMembers: Government ministers from each EU country, according to the policy area to be discussedPresident: Each EU country holds the presidency on a 6-month rotating basisEstablished in: 1958 (as Council of the European Economic Community)Location: Brussels (Belgium)

PART IV Government and Administration Article 97The Goverment directs domestic and foreign policy, civil and military administration and the defence of the State. It exercises executive and statutory authority in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Article 98 1. The Government consists of the President, Vice-Presidents, when applicable, Ministers and other members as may be created by law.2. The President directs Government action and coordinates the functions of the other members thereof, without prejudice to the competence and direct responsibility of the latter in carrying out their duties.3. Members of the Government may not exercise representative functions other than those derived from their Parliamentary mandate, nor any other public function not derived from their office, nor engage in any professional or commercial activity whatsoever.4. The status and incompatibilities of the members of the Government shall be regulated by law.

Article 100The other members of the Government shall be appointed and dismissed by the King on the proposal of the President.

Article 123 1. The Supreme Court, with jurisdiction over the whole of Spain, is the highest judicial body in all branches of justice, except with regard to the provisions concerning Constitutional guarantees.2. The President of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the King, on being proposed by the General Council of the Judiciary, in the manner to be established by the law. 

Article 1591. The Constitutional Court shall consist of twelve members appointed by the King. Of these, four shall be nominated by Congress 48 Financial Autonomy of the Autonomous Communities Resources of the Autonomous Communities Interterritorial Clearing Fund The Constitutional Court by a majority of three-fifths of its members, four shall be nominated by the Senate with the same majority, two shall be nominated by the Government, and two by the General Council of the Judiciary.2. The members of the Constitutional Court shall be appointed from amongst Magistrates and Prosecutors, University professors, public officials and lawyers, all of whom must be jurists of recognised standing with at least fifteen years’ experience in the professional exercise.3. The members of the Constitutional Court shall be appointed for a period of nine years and shall be renewed by thirds every three years.4. Membership of the Constitutional Court is incompatible with: any representative function, any political or administrative office, a management role in a political party or trade union or any employment in their service, a career as a Judge or Prosecutor, and any professional or commercial activity whatsoever. Furthermore, the disabilities related to the members of the Judiciary shall also be applicable to the members of the Constitutional Court.5. The members of the Constitutional Court shall be independent and irremovable during their term of office.