Challenges Related to Implementing the European Charter of Local Self-Government in Spanish Legislation

Abstract

This article briefly identifies the main advances and weaknesses of the Spanish model of local self-government, in relation to its inspiring principles, its practical evolution, and its adaptation to the international context during the final years of the Great Recession. Based on this analytical framework, the article argues that Spain was one of the first countries to ratify the European Charter of Local Self-Government and that, despite certain setbacks, its principles have been gradually incorporated into the Spanish legal system as regional and state laws on local government were implemented. The article shows that the level of implementation of local self-government in Spain is reasonably in line with the principles stipulated in the Charter, but suggests that such self-government has entered a period of regression, due primarily to the severe austerity and financial adjustment policies implemented during the Great Recession. Finally, the article outlines the main challenges that, in the authors' opinion, should be considered in Spain to extend and strengthen local self-government in order to adequately comply with the principles stipulated in the Charter, of which Spain was a promoter and pioneer.