Freedom of speech of political party members and its limits (On STC 226/2016)

Abstract

This paper analyses the Spanish Constitutional Court Decision 226/2016, that solved for the first time a conflict between the freedom of expression of political party members and the freedom of association of the party, that includes the power to impose disciplinary sanctions as the expulsion of a member when express an opinion that the party considers to be opposite to its interests or to its public image. As a result of the analysis of the Constitutional Court decision, the author proposes to advance in the recognition of a specific freedom of political association, according to the constitution function and special position of the political parties, and that integrates the freedom of expression of the party members.