By Isha Sesay • Published: 10 Jan 2020 • 18:20
PRIME MINISTER Pedro Sánchez has reinforced his political weight in the government with the appointment of the equivalent of four deputy Prime Ministers and the control of all the ministerial portfolios.
After months of political deadlock, Spain’s first coalition government since the return to democracy has now begun to take shape where there is a strong emphasis on the economy.
Sánchez’s inclusion of four deputy prime ministers is a very first in modern Spanish history, and which includes the leader of Unidas Podemos Pablo Iglesias as well as Carmen Calvo, Nadia Calviño and Teresa Ribera.
As for the other appointed ministers, the socialist has revealed to the public the majority of those who will now hold a coveted role in the government. Let’s delve deeper into their new positions:
Carmen Calvo
First Vice President, Presidency and Relations with the Courts
Carmen Calvo will remain as government number two and an important figure for Pedro Sánchez’s power circle, where she will continue to control the foundations of the government. She will be responsible for parliamentary relations and recognising victims of the civil war under Francisco Franco’s dictatorship.
Pablo Iglesias
Second Vice Presidency of Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda
The fourth deputy prime minister will be Pablo Iglesias, the leader of Unidas Podemos, who will handle social rights and sustainable development. The far-left party will also take four ministries, ranging from higher education to consumer affairs.
Nadia Calviño
Third Vice Presidency of the Economy
Nadia Calvino has been in charge of the economy ministry since 2018 and last year made a bid as candidate to replace Christine Lagarde in running for the International Monetary Fund. She will now manage economic affairs and digital transformation where Sanchez has fulfilled his promise made during the campaign in her promotion to Deputy Prime Minister.
Teresa Ribera
Fourth Vice Presidency of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge
Teresa Ribera was a surprise addition to the government, which brings the number of deputy prime ministers to four. The acting energy and environment minister will focus on the environment and rural depopulation as well as in the fight against climate change.
Maria Jesus Montero
Speaker and Minister of Finance
Maria Jesus Montero is considered to be the most important political rise in the new look coalition government. The Socialist lawmaker has been re-appointed as budget minister and will also serve as government spokeswoman.
Arancha González Laya
Foreign Minister
Arancha Gonzalez Laya, a lawyer by profession with a track record in international relations, economics and trade, will be Spain’s new foreign minister. He currently holds the role as the United Nation’s Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of the International Trade Centre and speaks Basque, English, French, German and Italian.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska
Minister of Interior
Before arriving at La Moncloa in 2018, Fernando Grande-Marlaska was a member of the General Council of the Judiciary and Judge of the National Court, where he will now strengthen the force of the PSOE party in government.
Yolanda Diaz
Minister of Labour
Yolanda Diaz is one of four ministers led by Unidas Podemos and will be tasked with balancing concerns over a slowing economy. She will also lead the coalition’s promise to roll back a 2012 labor reform that drove down wages and made it easier for companies to dismiss employees from the workforce.
José Luis Escrivá Belmonte
Minister of Social Security and Migration
Jose Luis Escriva holds an important role as head of Spain’s budget watchdog where he has also served as a chief economist at the Spanish bank BBVA. He will now lead the ministry and be responsible for social security, where he also will be charged with carrying out the long-awaited pension reform in addition to migration.
Other leading Ministers:
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