Article 1 of the 1978 Constitution lays downs that Spain is hereby established as a social and democratic State, subject to the rule of law, and advocating as higher values of the legal order freedom, justice, equality and political pluralism. National sovereignty is vested in the Spanish people, from whom emanate the powers of the State. The political form of the Spanish State is that of a Parliamentary Monarchy.

Article 56 of the Constitution states:

1. The King is the Head of State, the symbol of its unity and permanence. He arbitrates and moderates the regular working of the institutions, assumes the highest representation of the Spanish State in international relations, especially with those nations belonging to the same historic community, and perfoms the functions expressly conferred on him by the Constitution and the law.
2. His title is King of Spain, and he may use other titles appertaining to the Crown.
3. The person of the King is inviolable and shall not be held accountable. His acts shall always be countersigned in the manner established in Article 64. Without such countersignature they shall not be valid, except as provided for under Article 65.2.

As a result of this form of Government, three powers are established: the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary.