Spain commemorated the 44th anniversary of its Constitution on Tuesday amid growing political tensions ahead of the general election due to be held in December 2023.
To celebrate the adoption of the Constitution in 1978 that followed almost 40 years of Franco rule, official institutions and most businesses closed for the day on Tuesday, and parliament opened its doors for the week to show its importance in preserving the nation’s democratic values.
“As we do every 6 December, we celebrate the values that unite us. The freedom, equality, justice and political pluralism that have cemented our democracy and have made us a modern, Europeanist Spain of progress and coexistence. Happy Spanish Constitution Day!” tweeted Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
“More than 6,000 people have visited (in the last three days) the #PuertasAbiertas22. It has been an honour to welcome so many citizens to what is their home, the seat of national sovereignty,” Parliament Speaker Meritxell Batet added.
Numerous authorities and representatives of the Spanish institutions, including the army, the military police and the national police attended official ceremonies.
This year, celebrations were influenced by a tangible pre-election atmosphere and a bitter political row with pro-independence Catalan parties, EFE reported.
In May 2023, Spain will hold municipal elections, considered the first litmus test for Sanchez’s governing coalition with left-wing Unidas Podemos.
After that, the parties will have to face the general election set for December next year.
According to a recent poll, Spanish socialists are predicted to win the 2023 elections, but it’s certain that no party will achieve absolute majority to form a government.
(Fernando Heller | EuroEFE.EURACTIV.es)
Source: euractiv.com
