The 'Democratura' debate: questioning Spain's democratic quality

Spain: A democracy with authoritarian traits

The paradox was voiced by Otegi himself: "there is no pogre government in the Spanish State if those who want to leave Spain do not support it." In other words, the PSOE and Podemos executive depends on those seeking to break up the country. This contradiction—governing against half the population with the support of a minority—is the starting point of a debate that has been ongoing for 1,392 days, evolving from criticism of Catalan independence to suspicions regarding the democratic quality of the entire system.

What is a 'democratura' and why is the term used?

The concept is gaining traction: a sham democracy where decisions are made against half the population, without consensus, and where promises are broken. While not an academic definition, it describes real discontent. The cited indicators vary: from the embezzlement reform agreed upon with ERC—which reduces the maximum sentence to 4 years if there is no personal profit—to the fact that Sánchez is "the only Prime Minister to have approved more decrees than laws," with 54% of legislative initiatives approved since summer 2018 being executive impositions.

Corruption is another pillar of the argument. Transparency International places Spain below Botswana or Brunei, and a specialized website estimates the total cost of systemic corruption at 124,123,915,826 €. This figure, repeated frequently, has become the most cited data point in the debate. According to current surveys, Spaniards view politicians as the primary culprits.

Justice as a battlefield

The CGPJ (General Council of the Judiciary) has been "hijacked by politicians since 1985," according to a recurring diagnosis. Judges and prosecutors have threatened to strike if the Government maintains judicial reforms, and the Civil Guard has joined protests against the Fiscalía (Prosecution Service) taking control of the UCO. The Audiencia de Sevilla has taken the TC (Constitutional Court) rulings on the ERE cases to the CJEU, warning of a "systemic risk of impunity." The cited precedent is Romania, where the EU forced a rectification of a sentence reduction for corrupt officials similar to the Spanish one.

Internal conflict within the PSOE

It is not just the opposition. Page, President of Castilla-La Mancha, has called it "intolerable to negotiate with incivil regarding their own sentencing" and has threatened to appeal to the Constitutional Court if a referendum is authorized in Catalonia. Lambán has backed the demand to increase penalties and "rearm." Five former Socialist ministers have positioned themselves against the reform of the sedition crime. Meanwhile, ERC demands a referendum where a 55% "yes" vote would declare independence.

Is Spain a full democracy or a party oligarchy?

Some argue that the Constitution makes democracy and the Monarchy incompatible, and that the system has been corrupt from its inception. Others point to a party oligarchy where Congress decides nothing because everything is predetermined by six or seven party leaders. The most common thesis: it takes the worst of democracy and the worst of dictatorship and mixes them thoroughly. The result would be a democratic despotism—a regime that shields its own immunity while presenting itself as democratic.

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The question is not whether Spain is a dictatorship—it is not—but whether its democracy can withstand the weight of its own contradictions. Given these factors, the answer remains open.