By Tereza Neuwirthova.
On Thursday, December 6 2018, The Embassy of Spain in the Netherlands hosted a conference to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the Spanish Constitution that was enacted in 1978.
After arrival, the guests were greeted at the Spanish embassy by Her Excellency the ambassador Ms. María Jesús Alonso Jiménez, and were offered a glass of champagne. Among the guests were representatives from various institutions and organisations that cooperate and interact with the Spanish community in the Netherlands, as well as numerous ambassadors representing mainly the countries of Latin America.
Her Excellency Ms. Ambassador Ms. María Jesús Alonso Jiménez initiated the event by presenting the guest lecturer, professor Don Francisco Bastida from the University of Oviedo. Mr. Bastida, who specialises in Constitutional Law, held an extraordinary speech about the 1978 constitution, the assets it provided for Spain, and the challenges that Spain faces in the present times.
The adoption of the constitution in 1978 marked the end to a period of economic instability by ending the transition of Spain from a dictatorship regime to a democracy.
The constitution established the country of Spain upon the main values of a social and democratic state such as liberty, justice, equality and political pluralism. Moreover, it set up parliamentary monarchy as the political form of the state. Among the principles coined in the constitution were also decentralisation of the territory, the rule of law, representative democracy, and the guarantee of freedoms of speech and expression.
Thanks to the constitution of 1978, the modern Spain is an advanced European country that is integrated and fully committed in the European Union. It’s prosperity, great political stability, and democracy with political plurality make Spain an important and influential player in world politics.
Professor Mr. Bastida concluded his speech by mentioning the independence of the regions of Catalonia and Basque Country, and low but present levels of political corruption as the ongoing threats for the welfare of Spain that it has enjoyed since the ratification of the constitution in 1978.
Thereafter, Her Excellency Ambassador Alonso, started a fruitful discussion on the main topics of the evening.
During the fervent debate, subjects such as the possibility of reforms and amendments to Spanish constitution of 1978, and the current issues and challenges that Spain has to deal with were taken up. Many of the guests contributed by expressing their opinions and remarks, or asking Prof. Bastida various intellectual questions.
Once the discussion was finished by Ambassador Alonso’s last remarks, the guests were greeted to an adjacent room of the embassy where traditional Spanish delicacies were served. The guests enthusiastically continued in the discussions as they were enjoying traditional sweet and savoury specialties as well as excellent Spanish wines and other drinks.
Great company together with relaxed atmosphere of this event marked yet another pleasurable evening at the Spanish embassy.
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