Government of José López Domínguez

The government of José López Domínguez was formed on 6 July 1906, following the latter's appointment as prime minister of Spain by King Alfonso XIII on 5 July and his swearing-in the next day, as a result of Segismundo Moret being dismissed from the post on 5 July over the "dissolution crisis" (crisis de la disolución): the King's rejection to grant him a dissolution decree to call a snap election. It succeeded the first Moret government and was the government of Spain from 6 July to 30 November 1906, a total of 147 days, or 4 months and 24 days.

The cabinet comprised members of the Liberal–Democratic alliance and one military officer (López Domínguez himself). The government was disestablished following internal divisions within the Liberals over a new Law of Associations—promoted by José Canalejas and criticized by the Catholic Church as "anti-clerical"—intending to address the problem of religious orders. In what came to be known as the "slip paper" crisis (crisis del papelito), Moret had sent a letter to the King surreptitiously warning him against the Law's perceived dangers, displeasing the monarch and prompting López Domínguez's resignation.

Formation

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.

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. 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. 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.

Consultations

King Alfonso XIII held a round of consultations on 4–5 July 1906 to determine a solution to the political crisis arising from Moret's intent to trigger a parliamentary dissolution.