The Impact of EU Membership on the Economic Governance of Spain

Spain was not admitted to the then European Economic Community during the Francos regime for political reasons. Joining the EU on January 1986 was the last and final step forward towards the definitive consolidation of democracy in Spain and the consolidation of the opening of the Spanish Economy. The results over the first twenty five years of membership have translated into an unprecedented boost of modernization and progress. Spain adopted the Acquis Communautaire and received considerable benefits from EU membership, eliminating barriers, following the common policies , re ceiving European funds and adopting the European common currency . From an index of 60 per cent of the European income average in 1986, todays income even after the crisis that started in 2008- is in the range of 105 per cent. The last three years have been different and difficult due to the severe economic and financial crisis. In this context, this paper analyses how the successive Spanish governments organized the economic governance to adapt to the quantitative and qualitative changes registered in the European Integration.european union- spain relations, european integration, national government expenditure and debt, euro-crisis, european economic and monetary union