Electoral system, party system and government formation in Spain. Current situation

Abstract

Spain is undergoing a change of political scenario, with the transformation from an imperfect bipartisan party system into a multi-party polarized system on the left and right axis. The targets for which our electoral system was designed, i.e. to reduce partisan fragmentation and favour governance, are not being met. The analysis of the electoral system and its effects on the party system, based on the results of the elections held in Spain in 2019, 2016 and 2015, are the starting point to explain such change in the government system as regulated by the Spanish Constitution of 1978.