THE IMPACT OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM IN SPAIN

The Spanish Constitution was reformed in 2011 to ensure compliance with budgetary balance and financial stability, but its impact has gone much further than the mere control of public deficit and debt. The central State has taken advantage of this reform to alter the system of relations between the three territorial levels of government. The recently adopted Law 27/2013 for the "Rationalization and Sustainability of Local Administration" transforms the allocation of competences between the State and the Autonomous Communities regarding local government, thus eroding the constitutional guarantee of autonomy enjoyed by municipalities and provinces.