The future of Spain’s territorial structure has come under renewed scrutiny following sharp remarks from academics. The issue affects not only politicians, but also all citizens: decisions in this area have a direct impact on stability, the distribution of powers, and even the economic development of the regions. With nationalist parties gaining influence, the debate over federalization is becoming especially heated.
At a recent meeting focused on analyzing the country’s structure, comments sparked a strong response. Renowned constitutional law expert Francesc de Carreras stated that it is nationalist parties, especially in Catalonia and the Basque Country, that are the main obstacle to completing the transition to a fully federal model. In his view, these groups are not interested in equal rules for all regions, but rather seek special status and maximum autonomy.
A clash of interests
Carreras emphasized that nationalists did not support key agreements aimed at balancing powers between autonomous regions. He believes the current autonomy system is already close to federalism, but remains incomplete and unstable. The main reason, he argues, is the constant pressure from parties that use their influence in parliament to block any changes that might limit their special status.
The expert recalled that a classical federation is based on a common constitution, a clear division of powers, institutional loyalty, and a transparent funding system. However, according to him, Spain is stuck halfway: the model launched in 1978 was never properly completed. If the situation does not change, the country risks further fragmentation and increasing conflicts between the central government and the regions.
Influence on lawmaking
Carreras particularly emphasized that as long as nationalist parties maintain decisive influence over the formation of parliamentary majorities, any attempts to reform the system are doomed to fail. He described federalism not as an ideology, but as a management tool that can only work with broad support and the rejection of special privileges for individual territories. In his view, completing the reform is essential for long-term stability and preventing new crises.
At the same time, academician Miguel Aguiló offered a more optimistic perspective on the situation. He believes that despite ongoing disputes and bold statements in the media, the level of social cohesion in Spain has reached a historic high. According to him, over the past fifty years, the country has become much more united than it was in the late 1970s, despite all the challenges and upheavals.
Social cohesion
Aguiló noted that even the serious challenges of recent years—such as the pandemic, natural disasters, and major accidents—not only failed to weaken, but actually strengthened the sense of solidarity among residents of different regions. He emphasized that conflicts between the central government and the autonomous communities, while present, do not significantly affect the daily lives of most citizens. In his view, the media noise surrounding these issues is often exaggerated and does not reflect the actual state of affairs.
The expert urged people not to panic or jump to conclusions based on sensational headlines. He is confident that, if necessary, laws can be adjusted to address any identified problems, but this should be done calmly and without unnecessary dramatization. It is important to rely on objective data, which point to significant progress in the integration and development of the country.
Context and Trends
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly faced sharp debates over the powers of the autonomous communities. The Catalan crisis, discussions about tax redistribution, and demands for greater autonomy—all these topics are regularly the subject of heated debate in society and parliament. However, despite periodic tensions, the country continues to move toward greater integration and to seek a balance between the interests of the central government and the regions.
Similar debates about federalization and redistribution of powers have arisen in other European countries in recent years. For instance, in Germany and Belgium, the balance between the federal center and the states or regions also remains a relevant issue. In Spain, however, each new discussion on reforming the territorial structure is invariably accompanied by heated debates, highlighting the great importance of this topic for the country’s future.
