Third government of José Canalejas

Overview

The Spanish Constitution of 1876 enshrined Spain as a semi-constitutional monarchy during the Restoration period, awarding the monarch—under the royal prerogative—the power to appoint government members (including the prime minister); the ability to grant or deny the decree of dissolution of the Cortes, or the adjournment of legislative sessions, to the incumbent or aspiring government that requested it; and the capacity to inform, inspect and ultimately control executive acts by granting or denying the signature of royal decrees; among others.^[1][2]

The monarch would play a key role in the turno system by appointing and dismissing governments, which would then organize elections to provide themselves with a parliamentary majority.^[3] As a result, governments during this period were dependent on royal confidence, which was frequently secured or lost based on the leaders' ability to guarantee the internal unity and parliamentary cohesion of their parties.^[4][5] In practice, the royal prerogative was not exercised freely by the monarch, but was carried out through the opening of a round of consultations—with the presidents of the chambers, the leaders of the main parties, the potential candidates and other notable figures—prior to government formation, or when prime ministers raised a matter of confidence to the monarch.^[6]

Cabinet crisis

On 1 April 1911, José Canalejas raised a matter of confidence to King Alfonso XIII by submitting his resignation and that of his government over the issue of the "Ferrer case":^[7][8] an attempt by republican parties to posthumously rehabilitate anarchist activist Francisco Ferrer by having the Congress of Deputies review the military ruling that ordered his execution,^[9][10] causing differences between several cabinet ministers regarding how to proceed.^[11]

More information Date, Consultee ...

Consultations King of Spain
Date	Consultee	Office/position	Party
2 April 1911	José Canalejas	Prime Minister Leader of the Liberal Party		Liberal
Nominations
Outcome →	Nomination of José Canalejas (Liberal) Accepted
Sources[12][13]

Close

The King reaffirmed his confidence in Canalejas on 2 April without any further consultation,^[12] on the condition that he could still muster a parliamentary majority in the Cortes and defend the position of the Spanish Army:^[14][15]

Spanish: "Yo he deseado desde el primer momento muy sinceramente que se desenvuelva la política liberal, por considerarla útil a los intereses de la nación. Usted sabe que ha tenido y tiene mi confianza, siempre que cuente usted oon la de la mayoría de las Cámaras. [...] Pues a continuar su política y a desenvolverla en la normalidad del régimen parlamentario, y constituya usted el Gobierno en los términos que considere más convenientes." [...] Su Majestad el Rey, al reiterar sus poderes al señor Canalejas, indicó la condición de seguir el debate de Ferrer y de defender enérgicamente al Ejército.

["From the very beginning, I have sincerely hoped for the development of the Liberal policy, considering it useful to the nation's interests. You know that you have had and continue to have my trust, as long as you have the support of the majority of the chambers. [...] So continue your policy and develop it in the normality of the parliamentary regime, and form the Government in the terms that you consider most convenient." [...] His Majesty the King, in reiterating his powers to Mr. Canalejas, indicated the condition of following the Ferrer debate and vigorously defending the Army.]

The new cabinet—sworn in the next day—comprised members of the Liberal Party as well as two military officers, and saw changes in the Grace and Justice, War, Navy, Finance, Governance and Public Instruction ministries.^[17]