Xunta de Galicia
Encyclopedia
The Xunta de Galicia (ˈʃunta ðe ɡaˈliθja, "Government of Galicia") is the collective decision-making body of the government of the autonomous community of Galicia, composed of the President
, the Vice-President(s) and the specialized ministers (Conselleiros).
The Xunta has at its disposal a vast bureaucratic organization based at Santiago de Compostela
, the capital city of Galicia, although it has delegations in a number of locations throughout the country.
states that
active between 1528 and 1833. The Xunta was Galicia's representation to the central Spanish monarchy. The Xunta was composed by representatives from the cities (dioceses) of Santiago de Compostela
, Lugo
, Betanzos
, A Coruña
, Mondoñedo
, Ourense
and Tui
. But at that time the Xunta did not hold real power; it was a consultative body only.
During the Peninsular War
, started in 1808, the Xunta Suprema de Galicia directed the war against the French invaders and maintained the public order in Galician territory. This Xunta Suprema was in charge of military, legislative issues, and international relations. It was the first time that the Xunta had real autonomy, as the Spanish control weakened. This situation lasted until the French invaders were eventually expelled from the Iberian Peninsula
and Ferdinand VII of Spain gradually recovered control over former territories (1813–1814).
In 1833 the Xunta was dismantled following the provincial division
engaged in Spain by minister Javier de Burgos
, under the regency of Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies
. In this way, Galicia was separated into four provinces, each one managed by a Provincial Council.
Yet, in 1843 the Xunta Central de Galicia was created and presided over by Xosé Maria Suances. In 1846 commander Miguel Solís initiated a military uprising in Lugo
. He put an end to the Provincial Councils and created the Xunta Superior do Goberno de Galicia, presided over by Pio Rodríguez Terrazo. This movement attempted to re-unify Galicia and called for Galicia's self-rule. Solís was eventually defeated at the Battle of Cacheiras (April 23, 1846) and the so-called Martyrs of Carral were executed on April 27.
Prospects for Galician self-government and possible restoration of a Xunta came close while the Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1936
was being discussed, at the time of the Spanish Second Republic (1931–1939). However, the Spanish Civil War
(1936–1939) and subsequent Francoist dictatorship (1939–1977) halted the process. There was a temporary Galician government in exile, presided by Castelao
, although this was not called Xunta but Consello da Galiza (Council of Galicia).
The process of devolution
initiated by the passing of the Spanish Constitution in 1978 allowed for the establishment of a new Xunta, on March 16, 1978. The Galician Statute of Autonomy (1981)
, came to ratify the Xunta and Galicia's self-government.
President of Galicia
Under the Galician Statute of Autonomy, the President of the Xunta of Galicia is the head of the government of the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia...
, the Vice-President(s) and the specialized ministers (Conselleiros).
The Xunta has at its disposal a vast bureaucratic organization based at Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
, the capital city of Galicia, although it has delegations in a number of locations throughout the country.
Legal basis
Article 16, Section 2 of the Galician Statute of AutonomyGalician Statute of Autonomy of 1981
The Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1981 is the current basic institutional norm of Galicia. The Galician Government, Parliament and High Court of Galicia are regulated by it.-Genesis of the 1981 Statute:...
states that
History
The Xunta de Galicia finds its origins in the Xunta of the Kingdom of GaliciaKingdom of Galicia
The Kingdom of Galicia was a political entity located in southwestern Europe, which at its territorial zenith occupied the entire northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Founded by Suebic king Hermeric in the year 409, the Galician capital was established in Braga, being the first kingdom which...
active between 1528 and 1833. The Xunta was Galicia's representation to the central Spanish monarchy. The Xunta was composed by representatives from the cities (dioceses) of Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
, Lugo
Lugo
Lugo is a city in northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 97,635 in 2010, which makes is the fourth most populated city in Galicia.-Population:...
, Betanzos
Betanzos
Betanzos is a municipality in Galicia, Spain, in the Province of A Coruña. In Roman times Betanzos was called Carunium or Brigantium. During the Medieval period the settlement was known as Carunio....
, A Coruña
A Coruña
A Coruña or La Coruña is a city and municipality of Galicia, Spain. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community and seventeenth overall in the country...
, Mondoñedo
Mondoñedo
Mondoñedo is a small town and municipality in the Galician province of Lugo, Spain. , the town has a population of 4,508. Mondoñedo occupies a sheltered valley among the northern outliers of the Cantabrian Mountains.-History:...
, Ourense
Ourense
Ourense is a city in northwestern Spain, the capital of the province of the same name in Galicia. Its population of 108,674 accounts for 30% of the population of the province and makes it the third largest city of Galicia.-Population:...
and Tui
Tui, Galicia
Tui , in Spanish Tuy, is a town in Galicia , in the province of Pontevedra. It is located on the left bank of the Minho River, facing the Portuguese town of Valença....
. But at that time the Xunta did not hold real power; it was a consultative body only.
During the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
, started in 1808, the Xunta Suprema de Galicia directed the war against the French invaders and maintained the public order in Galician territory. This Xunta Suprema was in charge of military, legislative issues, and international relations. It was the first time that the Xunta had real autonomy, as the Spanish control weakened. This situation lasted until the French invaders were eventually expelled from the Iberian Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
and Ferdinand VII of Spain gradually recovered control over former territories (1813–1814).
In 1833 the Xunta was dismantled following the provincial division
1833 territorial division of Spain
The 1833 territorial division of Spain divided Spain into provinces, classified into "historic regions" . on the official web site of the government of the Canary Islands, accessed 2009-12-31...
engaged in Spain by minister Javier de Burgos
Javier de Burgos
Francisco Javier de Burgos y del Olmo was a Spanish jurist, politician, journalist, and translator.-Early life and career:...
, under the regency of Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies
Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies
Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies was Queen consort of Spain and Regent of Spain .-Early years and first marriage:...
. In this way, Galicia was separated into four provinces, each one managed by a Provincial Council.
Yet, in 1843 the Xunta Central de Galicia was created and presided over by Xosé Maria Suances. In 1846 commander Miguel Solís initiated a military uprising in Lugo
Lugo
Lugo is a city in northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 97,635 in 2010, which makes is the fourth most populated city in Galicia.-Population:...
. He put an end to the Provincial Councils and created the Xunta Superior do Goberno de Galicia, presided over by Pio Rodríguez Terrazo. This movement attempted to re-unify Galicia and called for Galicia's self-rule. Solís was eventually defeated at the Battle of Cacheiras (April 23, 1846) and the so-called Martyrs of Carral were executed on April 27.
Prospects for Galician self-government and possible restoration of a Xunta came close while the Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1936
Galician Statute of Autonomy (1936)
The Galician Statute of Autonomy was a statute of autonomy for Galicia. It was voted in referendum and presented to the Spanish Parliament. Yet, it could never be implemented because of the Spanish Civil War and subsequent Francoist dictatorship...
was being discussed, at the time of the Spanish Second Republic (1931–1939). However, the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
(1936–1939) and subsequent Francoist dictatorship (1939–1977) halted the process. There was a temporary Galician government in exile, presided by Castelao
Castelão
There are two association football stadiums nicknamed Castelão:*Castelão , located in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil*Castelão , located in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil-Other:...
, although this was not called Xunta but Consello da Galiza (Council of Galicia).
The process of devolution
Devolution
Devolution is the statutory granting of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to government at a subnational level, such as a regional, local, or state level. Devolution can be mainly financial, e.g. giving areas a budget which was formerly administered by central government...
initiated by the passing of the Spanish Constitution in 1978 allowed for the establishment of a new Xunta, on March 16, 1978. The Galician Statute of Autonomy (1981)
Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1981
The Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1981 is the current basic institutional norm of Galicia. The Galician Government, Parliament and High Court of Galicia are regulated by it.-Genesis of the 1981 Statute:...
, came to ratify the Xunta and Galicia's self-government.
Current cabinet
The consellerías are the different departments, or ministries, of the Xunta de Galicia. They are the responsibility of the conselleiros (masculine) or conselleiras (feminine). The conselleiros and conselleiras form the actual cabinet of the government, close to the President. The list of current consellerías and their respective heads is as follows:- President: Alberto Núñez FeijóoAlberto Núñez FeijóoAlberto Núñez Feijóo is the 5th and current President of the Xunta of Galicia.Núñez Feijóo became president in April 2009 following the regional parliamentary elections held in Galicia the previous month....
(PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of the Presidency, Civil Service and JusticeMinistry of Presidency, Civil Service and Justice (Galicia)The Ministry of Presidency, Civil Service and Justice is a department of the Galician regional government.The Consellería's principal role is the management of the relationship between the Xunta and the local authorities, as well as the legal system....
: Alfonso Rueda Valenzuela (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of Economy and Industry: Javier Guerra (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of Education and University Planning: Jesús Vázquez Abad (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of Health: Pilar Farjas (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of Environment, Territory and Infrastructures: Agustín Hernández Fernández de Rojas (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of Rural Affairs: Samuel Jesús Suárez Casado (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of Finance: Marta Fernández Currás (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Roberto Varela Fariña (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of Work and Welfare: Beatriz Mato Otero (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
) - Ministry of the Sea: Rosa Quintana Carballo (PPdeGPeople's Party of GaliciaThe People's Party of Galicia is a centre-right political party in Galicia, Spain. It is the Galician affiliate of the Spanish People's Party....
)
Location
- Edificios Administrativos San Caetano
San Caetano, s/n
15704 - Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
(A CoruñaA Coruña (province)The province of A Coruña is the most North-western Atlantic-facing province of Spain, and one of the four provinces which constitute the autonomous community of Galicia...
)
- Pazo de Raxoi
Praza do Obradoiro
15705 - Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
(A CoruñaA Coruña (province)The province of A Coruña is the most North-western Atlantic-facing province of Spain, and one of the four provinces which constitute the autonomous community of Galicia...
) - Sede da Xunta de Galicia en Vigo
Concepción Arenal, 8
36201 - Vigo (PontevedraPontevedra (province)Pontevedra is a province of Spain along the country's Atlantic coast in southwestern Europe. The province forms the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Galicia...
) - Edificio Administrativo da Xunta de Galicia en Lugo
Ronda da Muralla, 70
27003 - LugoLugoLugo is a city in northwestern Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia. It is the capital of the province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 97,635 in 2010, which makes is the fourth most populated city in Galicia.-Population:...
See also
- Galicia (Spain)
- Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1981Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1981The Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1981 is the current basic institutional norm of Galicia. The Galician Government, Parliament and High Court of Galicia are regulated by it.-Genesis of the 1981 Statute:...
- History of GaliciaHistory of GaliciaThe Iberian Peninsula has been inhabited for at least 500,000 years, first by Neanderthals and then by modern humans.-Megalithic culture:Galicia, northern Portugal, Asturias, western León, and Zamora formed a single megalithic area since the Neolithic and Chalcolithic Ages, around 4500–1500...
- Parliament of GaliciaParliament of GaliciaThe Galician Parliament is the unicameral legislature of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain. It is formed by 75 deputies . Deputies are elected every four years in ordinary period, or extraordinarily upon dissolution and call of elections by the President of the Xunta of Galicia, by...
- President of GaliciaPresident of GaliciaUnder the Galician Statute of Autonomy, the President of the Xunta of Galicia is the head of the government of the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia...
- Anxo QuintanaAnxo QuintanaAnxo Manuel Quintana González, commonly known as Anxo Quintana, is the former leader of the Galician Nationalist Bloc , the main nationalist party in Galicia...
- Emilio Pérez TouriñoEmilio Pérez TouriñoEmilio Pérez Touriño is a Spanish politician and economist. He is the former secretary general of the Socialist Party of Galicia and, from August 2005 to March 2009, former president of the autonomous community of Galicia . Namely, he was president of the executive branch, the Xunta de Galicia...
External links
- Xunta de Galicia's official web (in GalicianGalician languageGalician is a language of the Western Ibero-Romance branch, spoken in Galicia, an autonomous community located in northwestern Spain, where it is co-official with Castilian Spanish, as well as in border zones of the neighbouring territories of Asturias and Castile and León.Modern Galician and...
and Spanish) - The middle-age origins of the Xunta de Galicia (in Galician)