Spain reforms Congress rules to ease formation of minority parliamentary groups

New regulations for the Spanish Congress will lower the requirements for minority parties to form their own parliamentary groups, effective from the next legislature following the November 29 elections. The reform modifies Article 23 of the 1982 Rules of Procedure.

Previously, a party needed 15 seats, or five deputies plus 5% of the national vote, or 15% in all participating constituencies. Under the new rules, parties only need to achieve 3% of the national vote or 10% in the provinces where they obtain representation.

The reform was driven by parties including ERC, Junts, Podemos, Compromís, and BNG, and was supported by the Congress Plenary, while PP and Vox voted against it. This change aims to eliminate the need for "deputy loans," a practice used in the previous legislature by parties like ERC and Junts to secure group status through support from PSOE and Sumar.

Establishing a formal parliamentary group provides significant political, economic, and logistical advantages, including guaranteed speaking time in debates, seats on commissions, representation in the Spokespersons' Board and the Permanent Deputation, and increased access to subsidies and mailing resources.