1. Historical Legacy of the Spanish Empire

• Spain once ruled Puerto Rico as a colonial monarchy, with absolute authority vested in the Crown.
• Many Puerto Ricans associate “Spain” with the era of imperial domination, where the King was the ultimate ruler.
• This outdated perception ignores the fact that modern Spain is a constitutional monarchy, not an absolute one.

📺 2. Media and Cultural Portrayals

• Movies, series, and books often romanticize or dramatize European monarchies, emphasizing royal ceremonies and royal influence, not the democratic framework.
• The King is visually prominent, but his actual political role is symbolic—something not always explained clearly in pop culture or news coverage.

📚 3. Lack of Civic Education

• Puerto Rican public education rarely covers current European government systems in depth.
• Many are unaware that since Spain’s 1978 Constitution, the King’s powers are strictly limited.
• Power is in the hands of the Prime Minister (Presidente del Gobierno) and the Cortes Generales (Spain’s legislative branch, made up of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate).

🏛️ 4. What the King Actually Does in Spain

• Head of State, not head of government.
• He represents Spain ceremonially at home and abroad.
• Has no legislative or executive power—cannot make laws or enforce them.
• All his actions must be countersigned by government ministers to be valid.

🗳️ 5. Spain is a Full Democracy

• Spain ranks as a "Full Democracy" on global indexes (e.g. The Economist Intelligence Unit).
• Citizens elect representatives to the Parliament, which chooses the Prime Minister.
• Laws, budgets, and policies are created by elected officials—not the monarchy.