How does Spain's political system work and who are the main parties?
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy: King Felipe VI is the head of state, a two-chamber Parliament (the Cortes Generales) makes the laws, and a Government led by the Prime Minister runs the executive. Four national parties dominate: the centre-right People's Party (PP), the centre-left Socialist Party (PSOE), the nationalist right Vox and the left-wing Sumar, plus regional parties from Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia and other regions that matter in pacts. For the general election on November 29, 2026, the poll average puts the PP first at 31.5 %, ahead of the PSOE at 26.2 %.
1. How Spain's political system is structured
- Form of State: a parliamentary monarchy under the 1978 Constitution. The King is head of state but does not govern.
- Parliament (Cortes Generales): the Congress of Deputies (350 members) and the Senate. The Congress elects the Prime Minister and has the final say on most laws.
- Government: led by the Prime Minister (officially the "President of the Government") with a Council of Ministers. See who is Spain's Prime Minister.
- Territorial model: Spain is a unitary state with wide decentralisation: 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla), each with its own parliament or assembly and government, and powers such as health and education.
- Judiciary and Constitutional Court: independent courts, with the Constitutional Court ruling on whether laws comply with the Constitution.
2. The main political parties in Spain
Parties in our election tracker, with seats in the Congress dissolved on October 6, 2026 and the average of 8 recent polls (CIS excluded). National parties compete across Spain; regional parties compete in one region.
| Party | Ideology | Scope | Seats now | Polls | Announced candidate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| People's Party (Partido Popular) | Centre-right | National | 137 | 31.5 % | Alberto Núñez Feijóo |
| Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) | Centre-left | National | 121 | 26.2 % | Pedro Sánchez |
| Vox | Nationalist right | National | 33 | 19.0 % | Santiago Abascal |
| Sumar / Frente Amplio | Left | National | 24 | 6.4 % | Ada Colau |
| Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) | Left-wing, Catalan independence | Regional | 7 | – | Gabriel Rufián |
| Together for Catalonia (Junts) | Centre-right, Catalan independence | Regional | 7 | – | Míriam Nogueras |
| EH Bildu | Left-wing, Basque independence | Regional | 6 | – | to be announced |
| Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) | Centrist Basque nationalism | Regional | 5 | – | Maribel Vaquero |
| Podemos | Left | National | 4 | 2.5 % | Irene Montero |
| Compromís | Left-wing Valencian regionalism | Regional | 2 | – | to be announced |
| Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG) | Left-wing Galician nationalism | Regional | 1 | – | Néstor Rego |
| Canarian Coalition (CC) | Centrist Canarian nationalism | Regional | 1 | – | Cristina Valido |
| Navarrese People's Union (UPN) | Centre-right Navarrese regionalism | Regional | 1 | – | Alberto Catalán |
| Se Acabó La Fiesta (SALF) | Anti-establishment populism | National | 0 | – | to be announced |
Sources: Elecciones en España (parties, candidates and polls) and the Congress of Deputies. Polls are not seat forecasts: our seat projection and its range (in Spanish).
3. How Spanish elections work
- Voters pick a closed party list in their province; the 350 Congress seats are allocated across 52 constituencies with the D'Hondt rule, and a party needs 3 % of the valid votes in a constituency to win seats there.
- No party has to win an outright majority: a candidate needs 176 votes in the first investiture vote, or more votes for than against in a second vote, to become Prime Minister.
- In recent years governments have depended on pacts with regional parties.
4. The next election
Election day is November 29, 2026, with polling stations open from 9:00 to 20:00. The campaign runs from November 13, 2026 to November 27, 2026. Full schedule and how to vote (Spanish): election calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main political parties in Spain?
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy: King Felipe VI is the head of state, a two-chamber Parliament (the Cortes Generales) makes the laws, and a Government led by the Prime Minister runs the executive. Four national parties dominate: the centre-right People's Party (PP), the centre-left Socialist Party (PSOE), the nationalist right Vox and the left-wing Sumar, plus regional parties from Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia and other regions that matter in pacts. For the general election on November 29, 2026, the poll average puts the PP first at 31.5 %, ahead of the PSOE at 26.2 %.
What are the main parties competing in the upcoming Spanish election?
The People's Party (PP), the Socialist Party (PSOE), Vox and Sumar / Frente Amplio are the main national parties; Podemos also runs on its own. Regional parties such as ERC, Junts, EH Bildu, PNV, BNG and Coalición Canaria also compete in their regions.
How is the political system structured in Spain?
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The King is head of state, the two-chamber Parliament (Congress of Deputies and Senate) makes the laws, and the Prime Minister leads the Government. 17 autonomous communities have their own governments.
Is Spain a federal country?
Not formally. Spain is a unitary state with a high degree of decentralisation: the 17 autonomous communities have their own governments, parliaments and powers over areas such as health and education.
How many seats are there in the Spanish Congress?
350 seats. A party needs 176 for an absolute majority.
Who is the head of state of Spain?
King Felipe VI. The monarchy is hereditary and ceremonial; the Prime Minister leads the Government.
When is the next general election in Spain?
November 29, 2026, with polling stations open from 9:00 to 20:00.