The importance of budgets in democracy
The Spanish Constitution clearly establishes that the Government has the responsibility to submit the general state budgets, at least three months in advance before the end of the year. This rule is not only a recommendation, but also a fundamental legal requirement that ensures the responsibility and control of Parliament on public finances.
Budget extensions and their implications
For the second year in a row, the government of Pedro Sánchez has decided to extend the budgets of 2023, a decision that does not respond to a legislative blockade, but seems to be a strategy to avoid public debate on state accounts. This situation raises serious issues on government capacity to manage finance in a context of global tensions and increasing inflation.
Increased expenditure on defense without supervision
One of the most worrying aspects of this extension is the increase of more than 10 billion euros in the budget of the Ministry of Defense by 2025. This increase has been approved without a proper discussion in Congress or detailed information on its financing, which challenges the principle of budget control established by the Constitution.
A crisis democracy: the lack of counterweights
The inaction of institutions in the face of this breach is alarming. The Constitutional Court has been criticized for its alleged partiality, while the figure of King Philip VI has not taken a clear position on the current situation. This absence of counterweights in the political system causes the executive to act without the necessary supervision.
The role of the Constitution in democratic coexistence
To neglect the constitutional rules, such as the presentation of budgets, can erode the foundations of the rule of law. Democracy requires a firm commitment to transparency and accountability. The lack of new budgets is a sign of opacity that can deteriorate democratic coexistence.
The way to a full democracy
The government of Pedro Sánchez has violated article 134 of the Constitution twice, a situation that not only affects the constitutional procedure, but also limits the basic democratic rights of citizens. It is essential to restore respect for the legality and control mechanisms that guarantee the proper functioning of democracy in Spain.