Page "History of Spain" Paragraph 98

The Cortes assembled on September 24, 1810, on the Isle of Leon.

The Cortes removed itself to Cádiz on February 20, 1811.

On March 19, 1812, the Cádiz Cortes created the first modern Spanish constitution, the Constitution of 1812 ( informally named La Pepa ).

This constitution provided for a separation of the powers of the executive and the legislative branches of government.

The Cortes was to be elected by universal suffrage, albeit by an indirect method.

Each member of the Cortes was to represent 70, 000 people.

Members of the Cortes were to meet in annual sessions.

King was prevented from either convening or proroguing the Cortes.

Members of the Cortes were to serve single two-year terms.

They could not serve consecutive terms ; a member could serve a second term only by allowing someone else to serve a single intervening term in office.