A referendum on the new Spanish constitution or "organic law" was held in 1966, with all Spaniards over age 21 being allowed to participate. The new constitution stipulated a slight restraint on General Francisco Franco's autocratic powers, designated an office of "Chief of Government" independent from that of Head of State (although both were held concurrently by Franco until 1973), serving terms of five years, nominated by the Council of the Realm and approved by the Chief of State, an office which after Franco's death would be replaced by that of King of Spain with the same authorities and functions. The choice of heir belonged to the Head of State alone, to be confirmed in the Cortes Generales by a two-thirds majority and subsequently passed on through inheritance.
The Organic law as well stipulated the Council of the Realm to be reduced from 17 members to 13 (ten elected by the Cortes, seven appointed by the Chief of State), and of the Cortes from 611 deputies to 403 (108 directly elected, 25 appointed by the Head of State, with the rest elected by corporate organs). It also confirmed freedom of religion for Spanish Jews and Protestants.[1]
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