Call of elections to Congress and Senate

1. Elections to the Congress of Deputies, to the Senate or to both Houses of Parliament at the same time shall be announced by a Royal Decree.

2. Except in the case contemplated in Section 99, subs. 5, of the Constitution⁶, the relevant Royal Decree shall be issued with the countersign of the Prime Minister, on his proposal and under his sole responsibility, after deliberation in the Council of Ministers.

3. In the event of early dissolution of the Congress of Deputies, of the Senate or of both Houses, the dissolution Decree shall also include the call of a new election to the House or Houses so dissolved.

4. The Speaker of the Congress of Deputies shall countersign the Decree for dissolution of the Houses of Parliament and call of a new election in the case contemplated in Section 99, subs. 5, of the Constitution⁷.

⁶ That is to say, as regards appointment of senators by Self-governing Communities.

⁷ Said subs. 52 Subs. 5 of Section 99 of the Constit. says: “5.- If after two months from the first vote for investiture” (of a new Prime Minister after a general election) “no candidate has obtained the confidence of Congress, the King shall dissolve Congress and call new elections following endorsement
by the Speaker”.