Glossary · I
Article 155 enforcement
Activation of article 155 of the Constitution, which lets the central government take over competences from an autonomous community that breaches the law. Applied in Catalonia between October 2017 and June 2018 after the unilateral declaration of independence.
'Imputado' vs. 'investigado'
2015 reform of the Procedural Code that replaced the term 'imputado' with 'investigado' to reduce public stigma. The opposition accused the Rajoy government of seeking media protection.
Independentism
Political current that calls for the separation of a territory from Spain. Main hubs are Catalonia (Junts, ERC, CUP) and, to a lesser extent, the Basque Country (EH Bildu) and Galicia (BNG).
Pardons of the procés
Partial pardons granted by the Sánchez government in June 2021 to the nine procés leaders convicted of sedition and embezzlement. They preceded the later reform of the Penal Code and the Amnesty Law.
Immigration debate
Rising political axis since the 2015 European migration crisis. Vox has placed it at the centre of its agenda; the left frames it through integration and rights. The Aliens Act (Ley de Extranjería) is the regulatory framework.
Izquierda Unida (United Left)
Coalition of left-wing parties founded in 1986 as the heir of the PCE. Since 2016 it has run within broader coalitions (Unidas Podemos, Sumar) without standing alone.