Cortes Generales (Spanish Parliament)

Structure and chambers

The Cortes Generales consists of two houses with distinct roles and compositions: the Congress of Deputies, commonly referred to as the lower house, and the Senate, often called the upper house. Each chamber has its own seat: the Congress meets at the Palacio de las Cortes and the Senate at the Palacio del Senado, both located in Madrid.

Main functions

• Drafting, debating and approving national legislation.
• Approving the state budget and controlling public expenditure.
• Electing or confirming certain high offices and participating in constitutional processes.
• Holding the government to account through questions, interpellations and motions.

The two chambers share many responsibilities but differ in emphasis: the Congress of Deputies has the decisive vote in confidence motions and budgetary matters, while the Senate has a territorial role, representing Spain's regions and proposing amendments.

Elections, terms and composition

Members of the Cortes Generales are elected for four-year terms, though early elections may be called. The Congress uses proportional representation across constituencies to elect deputies, whereas the Senate combines direct election of senators in provincial districts with appointments or selections to represent autonomous communities. This mixed design balances national proportionality with territorial representation.

Historically, the Cortes traces its roots to medieval advisory assemblies, evolving through modern constitutional developments into its present form. It functions as a central forum where law, public policy and government accountability intersect, shaping Spain's political life and responding to changes in society and the constitutional order.