ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN SPAIN

THE CONGRESS. The Spanish Congress of Diputies has 350 members, elected by popular vote in block lists. There are 52 constituencies, matching the 50 provinces plus Ceuta and Melilla. The number of deputies elected by each province it not the same but depends on their population.

SEATS DISTRIBUTION There are 350 seats to distribute. 2 seats for each province (only one for Ceuta and Melilla). The 248 remaining seats are distributed proportionally, acording to each province's population. Once the votes has been casted, seats are distributed to the parties according to the d'Hondt Method.

The d’Hondt method is used in Spain to distribute the seats to the different parties once the votes have been casted. It is a non- proportional method, itended to favor large parties and coalitions and, therefore, stability of the government. The total votes cast for each party in the electoral district is divided, first by 1, then by 2, then 3, then 4, then The seats are distributed one by one to the highest number from all the numbers resulting from these divisions. D'HONDT METHOD

The Spanish current electoral system causes some paradoxes that, after every election, lead to protests and arguments, since the smaller parties consider themselves to be discriminated by the system. Pss. After the past elections, the State Council was summoned to propose changes to the Electoral Law in order to increase its proportionality and fairness. Despite its conclusions (“our electoral system is unfair”), no measures have been taken so far. CHANGES IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM

WOMEN IN POLITICS

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGES It was a social reform movement, which promoted economic and political right for women to have the right to vote.

WOMEN'S VOTES In 1906, Finland was the first nation in the world to recognize the right of full suffrage.

SPAIN SUFFRAGE Exercised for the first time in 1933 Election during the Republic. Revoked during the dictatorship (1936/ ). In 1931, gender equality became a real possibility with the approval of the new constitution. The first election in which women participated, was in the year 1931.

CLARA CAMPOAMOR Clara was born in Madrid in 1888, was a lawyer and supported women's suffrage in Spain. Wrote books like "Women's votes and me: My mortal sin" in 1935 and was a great success. He died in 1972 in Lausanne (Switzerland) with the achievement of getting the right to vote for women in Spain.

WOMEN IN REGIONAL PARLIAMENTS Spain is the European country with the highest percentage of elected women in our regional Parliaments with a 42%. Germany is the second one (33,8%), followed by Austria (30,6%), United Kindong (30%) and Suitzerland (26,2%).

WOMEN IN NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS Regarding the number of women in national Parliaments, however, Sweden leads the ranking (46,7%) followed by Finland (41,5%) and the Netherlands (41,3%). Spain is next, with 35,1%, still ahead of Germany (32,2%), Italy (21,1%), UK (19,8%) and France (18,5%).

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTS The average percentage of women in our national parlaments is only 21,7%, as most of the countries has a rate below 20%.