The
Xunta de Galicia is the
executive body of the
autonomous community of
Galicia. According to the
Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1981, it consists of the
President, the Vice-President (when appointed), and the specialized ministers (
Conselleiros). The Xunta has at its disposal a vast bureaucratic organization.
The Xunta is based at the capital city of Galicia,
Santiago de Compostela, although it has delegations in a number of locations throughout the country.
History
The Xunta de Galicia finds its origins in the Xunta of the
Kingdom of Galicia active between 1528 and 1833. The Xunta was Galicia's representation to the central Spanish monarchy. The Xunta was composed by representatives from the cities (dioceses) of
Santiago de Compostela,
Lugo,
Betanzos,
A Coruña,
Mondoñedo,
Ourense and
Tui. But at that time the Xunta did not hold real power; it was a consultative body only.
During the
Peninsular War, started in 1808, the
Xunta Suprema de Galicia directed the war against the French invaders and maintained the public order in Galician territory. This
Xunta Suprema was in charge of military, legislative issues, and international relations. It was the first time that the Xunta had real autonomy, as the Spanish control weakened. This situation lasted until the French invaders were eventually expelled from the
Iberian Peninsula and
Ferdinand VII of Spain gradually recovered control over former territories (1813-1814).
In 1833 the Xunta was dismantled following the provincial division engaged in Spain by minister
Javier de Burgos, under the regency of
Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies. In this way, Galicia was artificially separated into four provinces, each one managed by a Provincial Council.
Yet, in 1843 the
Xunta Central de Galicia was created and presided over by
Xosé Maria Suances. In 1846 commander
Miguel Solís initiated a military uprising in
Lugo. He put an end to the Provincial Councils and created the
Xunta Superior do Goberno de Galicia, presided over by
Pio Rodríguez Terrazo. This movement attempted to re-unify Galicia and called for Galicia's
self-rule. Solís was eventually defeated at the Battle of Cacheiras (April 23, 1846) and the so-called
Martyrs of Carral were executed on April 27.
Prospects for Galician self-government and possible restoration of a Xunta came close while the
Galician Statute of Autonomy of 1936 was being discussed, at the time of the
Spanish Second Republic (1931-1939). However, the
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and subsequent
Francoist dictatorship (1939-1977) halted the process. There was a temporary Galician government in exile, presided by
Castelao, although this was not called Xunta but
Consello da Galiza (Council of Galicia).
The process of
devolution initiated by the passing of the
Spanish Constitution in 1978 allowed for the establishment of a new Xunta, in March 16, 1978. The
Galician Statute of Autonomy (1981), came to ratify the Xunta and Galicia's self-government.
Consellerías
The
Consellerías are the different departments or ministries of the current . They are the responsibility of the
conselleiros (masculine) /
conselleiras (feminine). The
conselleiros and
conselleiras form the actual cabinet of the government, close to the President. The list of current
consellerías and their respective heads is as follows:
- Welfare and Equal Opportunities: Anxo Quintana (BNG) (linked to the office of the vice-president)
Where
Emilio Pérez Touriño (
PSdeG) is the President of the Xunta and
Anxo Quintana (
BNG) the Vice-President.
Location
- Administrative headquarters:
Edificios Administrativos San Caetano
San Caetano s/n
15704 Santiago de Compostela
Pazo de Raxoi
Praza do Obradoiro
15705 Santiago de Compostela
See also
