3rd government of José Canalejas | |
|---|---|
.svg) Government ofSpain | |
| 1911–1912 | |
.jpg) Canalejas circa 1912 | |
| Date formed | 3 April 1911 |
| Date dissolved | 14 November 1912 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Alfonso XIII |
| Prime Minister | José Canalejas (1911–Nov 1912) Marquis of Alhucemas (Nov 1912; acting) |
| No. of ministers | 8[a] |
| Totalno. of members | 12[a] |
| Member party | Liberal |
| Status in legislature | Majority (single-party) |
| Opposition party | Conservative |
| Opposition leader | Antonio Maura |
| History | |
| Predecessor | Canalejas II |
| Successor | Romanones I |
The thirdgovernment ofJosé Canalejas was formed on 3 April 1911, following the latter's appointment asprime minister of Spain byKing Alfonso XIII and his swearing-in that same day, as a result of his own resignation from the post on 1 April over the parliamentary proceedings on the Ferrer case. It succeeded thesecond Canalejas government and was thegovernment of Spain from 3 April 1911 to 14 November 1912, a total of 591 days, or 1 year, 7 months and 11 days.
The cabinet comprised members of theLiberal Party and twomilitary officers. It was disestablished as a consequence of Canalejas's assassination on 12 November 1912, with theMarquis of Alhucemas serving as prime minister ininterim capacity and the rest of the cabinet ministers remaining in place until the next government was sworn in.
TheSpanish Constitution of 1876 enshrined Spain as asemi-constitutional monarchy during theRestoration period, awarding themonarch—under theroyal prerogative—the power to appointgovernment members (including theprime minister); the ability to grant or deny thedecree of dissolution of theCortes, or theadjournment oflegislative 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 ofroyal decrees; among others.[1][2]
The monarch would play a key role in theturnosystem by appointing and dismissing governments, which would then organizeelections to provide themselves with aparliamentary 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 togovernment formation, or when prime ministers raised amatter of confidence to the monarch.[6]
On 1 April 1911,José Canalejas raised a matter of confidence toKing Alfonso XIII by submitting his resignation and that of his government over the issue of the "Ferrer case":[7][8] an attempt byrepublican parties to posthumously rehabilitateanarchist activistFrancisco Ferrer by having theCongress of Deputies review the military ruling that ordered his execution,[9][10] causing differences between several cabinet ministers regarding how to proceed.[11]
| Consultations King of Spain | ||||
| Date | Consultee | Office/position | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 April 1911 | José Canalejas | Prime Minister Leader of theLiberal Party | Liberal | |
| Nominations | ||||
| Outcome → | Nomination ofJosé Canalejas (Liberal) Accepted | |||
| Sources[12][13] | ||||
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 theCortes and defend the position of theSpanish 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.]
— King Alfonso XIII to José Canalejas during the resolution of the matter of confidence, in Fernando Soldevilla,El Año Político 1911 (1912).[16]
The new cabinet—sworn in the next day—comprised members of theLiberal Party as well as twomilitary officers, and saw changes in theGrace and Justice,War,Navy,Finance,Governance andPublic Instruction ministries.[17]
Canalejas's third government saw a number of cabinet changes during its tenure:
TheCouncil of Ministers was structured into the office for theprime minister and eightministries.[17]
| Preceded by | Government of Spain 1911–1912 | Succeeded by |
