The first step we are going to take, before entering fully into the meaning of the term investiture, is to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can indicate that it derives from Latin, exactly it is the result of the sum of several lexical components of said language:
-The prefix “in-”, which means “inwards”.
-The verb “vestire”, which can be translated as “put on clothes”.
-The particle “atu”, which is equivalent to “that has received the action”.
-The suffix “-ura”, which can be translated as “result”.
The act and consequence of investing is called investiture . The verb invest , for its part, refers to conferring a position or dignity of importance.
For example: “The investiture of the president will take place next Tuesday in Congress and the presence of many leaders from the region is expected” , “Hundreds of protesters demanded the loss of the investiture of the official senator” , “My investiture as an honorary doctor “It was the most exciting day of my life.”
Among the words that can function as synonyms for investiture are appointment, ceremony, proclamation, granting and even solemnity.
When someone takes possession of certain positions or dignities, therefore, their investiture occurs. The concept is usually used with respect to the assumption of a president or other State authority.
The investiture is generally carried out through a ceremony where, symbolically, power is transferred to the subject who assumes the functions. Many times the investiture includes taking an oath with which the assumption of office is finalized.
In the case of Spain, the investiture of the President of the Government takes place in the Congress of Deputies. In the chamber, after the pertinent elections and the other steps established in the 1978 Constitution, a vote of the deputies is carried out regarding the candidate. If he achieves the indicated majority, he is sworn in as President.
After that moment, the next day or later, you will have to swear the aforementioned Constitution in the presence of the Kings. An action that the ministers who will accompany him in the legislature will also have to carry out.
In Latin America , the presidential investiture usually takes place at the headquarters of the Legislative Branch ( Parliament , Congress , etc.). The outgoing president delivers the presidential attributes to the elected president, who receives them and swears to fulfill his obligations as established by the Constitution . At the end of the investiture ceremony, the new president is already in office.
In the Middle Ages, the term in question was used to refer to the act in which what was the symbolic delivery of the property that a feudal lord had granted to his vassal took place.
When a personality is granted the honorary title of doctor honoris causa , an investiture ceremony is also carried out. The ritual includes the imposition of a book , a ring , gloves and a cap on the distinguished individual, elements that have various symbolisms.