Second Zapatero Government

Second Zapatero Government

13th Government of Spain (since 1975)
Date formed 12 April 2008
Date dissolved
  • 22 November 2011 (formally)
  • 21 December 2011 (caretaker)
People and organisations
Head of government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Deputy head of government
Head of state Juan Carlos I
Number of ministers
  • 18 (2008–10)
  • 16 (2010–11)
Member party
Status in legislature Minority
Opposition party PP
Opposition leader Mariano Rajoy
History
Election(s) 2008 general election
Outgoing election 2011 general election
Legislature term(s) 9th Legislature (2008–11)
Budget(s) 2009, 2010, 2011
Predecessor Zapatero I
Successor Rajoy I

The 9th Spanish General Courts were elected at the 2008 general election on 9 March and first met on 1 April. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was invested as Prime Minister on 11 April by the Congress of Deputies and was sworn into office the following day. On the nomination of the Prime Minister, the Second Zapatero Government, or the 13th Government of Spain since the Spanish transition to democracy, was appointed.

History

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero led his party to a second consecutive victory in the 2008 general election, winning 169 out of 350 seats and allowing for a government to be formed with a large enough majority to ensure Zapatero's investiture for a second term in office as Prime Minister. The cabinet endured from 12 April 2008 to 21 December 2011, a total of 1,348 days, or 3 years, 8 months and 9 days.

The Second Zapatero Cabinet was composed mainly by members of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and its sister party, the Socialists' Party of Catalonia, but also included a large number of independents. At its formation, the government was formed by 18 ministries, including the office of Prime Minister. It saw three major cabinet reshuffles. The first, on 7 April 2009, did not change the overall number of ministries. The second came on 21 October 2010, when the number of ministries was reduced to 16. The third one resulted from Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba's resignation from his cabinet posts, leading to a reassignment of his duties and a re-organization of the vice-presidency system.

Investiture

First round: 9 April 2008
Absolute majority (176/350) required
Candidate: José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Choice Vote
Parties Votes
Yes PSOE (168)
168 / 350
No PP (154), ERC (3), UPyD (1)
158 / 350
Abstentions CiU (10), PNV (6), IUICV (2), BNG (2), CC (2), NaBai (1)
23 / 350
Absences: PSOE (1)
Source: Historia Electoral
Second round: 11 April 2008
Simple majority required
Candidate: José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Choice Vote
Parties Votes
YesYes PSOE (169)
169 / 350
No PP (154), ERC (3), UPyD (1)
158 / 350
Abstentions CiU (10), PNV (6), IUICV (2), BNG (2), CC (2), NaBai (1)
23 / 350
Source: Historia Electoral

Changes

Mariano Fernández Bermejo resigned as Minister of Justice on 23 February 2009 as a result of accusations from the opposition PP that he had interfered with the investigation of the Gürtel case involving senior PP members, after it was known that he had participated in a hunting trip in Andalusia alongside Judge Baltasar Garzón (who was, at the time, responsible for investigating the Gürtel case). He was succeeded by Francisco Caamaño.[1]

On 7 April 2009, a cabinet reshuffle took pace, resulting in an increase in the political weight within the Government, as previous independent ministers were replaced by party members such as former President of Andalusia Manuel Chaves or PSOE Vice Secretary-General José Blanco.[2][3]

On 20 October 2010, using the opportunity granted to him by the timed resignation of Celestino Corbacho as Minister of Labor and Immigration in order to stand as MP candidate in the 2010 Catalonian regional election, Zapatero made another major Cabinet reshuffle. Its purpose was to reduce the number of ministries as an economic measure as well as to have a better-equipped government team to deal with the worsening economic situation and the implementation of austerity measures into the last year of the legislature. It also intended to improve the government's dismal ratings in opinion polls as a result of its management of the country's economic situation.[4]

Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba announced on 8 July 2011 his imminent resignation from the offices he held within the Government, as a result of having been designated as PSOE candidate for the 2011 general election. He expressed his will to dedicate "full time" to his new appoinment, a task he felt unable to cope with the job of managing the three ministries he held. He remained in office until the change was made effective on 12 July 2011.[5]

Cabinets

List of Cabinets[6][7][8]
Office Name Term of office Party
Took office Left office
President of the Government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero 12 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
First Vice-President of the Government María Teresa Fernández de la Vega 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 Independent
Minister for the Presidency 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010
Government Spokesperson 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010
Second Vice-President of the Government Pedro Solbes 14 Apr 2008 7 Apr 2009 PSOE
Minister for Economic Affairs and the Treasury 14 Apr 2008 7 Apr 2009
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Miguel Ángel Moratinos 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Minister for Justice Mariano Fernández Bermejo 14 Apr 2008 24 Feb 2009 PSOE
Francisco Caamaño 24 Feb 2009 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Defence Carme Chacón 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSC
Minister for Home Affairs Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba 14 Apr 2008 12 Jul 2011 PSOE
Minister for Public Works Magdalena Álvarez 14 Apr 2008 7 Apr 2009 PSOE
Minister for Education, Social Policy and Sport Mercedes Cabrera 14 Apr 2008 7 Apr 2009 PSOE
Minister for Employment and Immigration Celestino Corbacho 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSC
Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade Miguel Sebastián 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Environmental Affairs, and the Rural and Marine Environment Elena Espinosa 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Minister for the Public Administration Services Elena Salgado 14 Apr 2008 7 Apr 2009 PSOE
Minister for Culture César Antonio Molina 14 Apr 2008 7 Apr 2009 Independent
Minister for Health and Consumption Bernat Soria 14 Apr 2008 7 Apr 2009 PSOE
Minister for Housing Beatriz Corredor 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Minister for Science and Innovation Cristina Garmendia 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for Equality Bibiana Aído 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Office Name Term of office Party
Took office Left office
President of the Government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero 12 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
First Vice-President of the Government María Teresa Fernández de la Vega 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 Independent
Minister for the Presidency 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010
Government Spokesperson 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010
Second Vice-President of the Government Elena Salgado 7 Apr 2009 12 Jul 2011 PSOE
Minister for Economic Affairs and the Treasury 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011
Third Vice-President of the Government Manuel Chaves 7 Apr 2009 12 Jul 2011 PSOE
Minister for Regional Policy 7 Apr 2009 21 Oct 2010
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Miguel Ángel Moratinos 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Minister for Justice Francisco Caamaño 24 Feb 2009 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Defence Carme Chacón 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSC
Minister for Home Affairs Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba 14 Apr 2008 12 Jul 2011 PSOE
Minister for Public Works José Blanco 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Education Ángel Gabilondo 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for Employment and Immigration Celestino Corbacho 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSC
Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade Miguel Sebastián 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Environmental Affairs, and the Rural and Marine Environment Elena Espinosa 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Minister for Culture Ángeles González-Sinde 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for Health and Social Policy Trinidad Jiménez 7 Apr 2009 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Minister for Housing Beatriz Corredor 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Minister for Science and Innovation Cristina Garmendia 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for Equality Bibiana Aído 14 Apr 2008 21 Oct 2010 PSOE
Office Name Term of office Party
Took office Left office
President of the Government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero 12 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
First Vice-President of the Government Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba 21 Oct 2010 12 Jul 2011 PSOE
Minister for Home Affairs 14 Apr 2008 12 Jul 2011
Government Spokesperson 21 Oct 2010 12 Jul 2011
Second Vice-President of the Government Elena Salgado 7 Apr 2009 12 Jul 2011 PSOE
Minister for Economic Affairs and the Treasury 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011
Third Vice-President of the Government Manuel Chaves 7 Apr 2009 12 Jul 2011 PSOE
Minister for Regional Policy and the Public Administration Services 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Trinidad Jiménez 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Justice Francisco Caamaño 24 Feb 2009 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Defence Carme Chacón 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSC
Minister for Public Works José Blanco 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Education Ángel Gabilondo 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for Employment and Immigration Valeriano Gómez 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade Miguel Sebastián 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Environmental Affairs, and the Rural and Marine Environment Rosa Aguilar 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for the Presidency Ramón Jáuregui 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Culture Ángeles González-Sinde 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for Health, Social Policy and Equality Leire Pajín 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Science and Innovation Cristina Garmendia 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Office Name Term of office Party
Took office Left office
President of the Government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero 12 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Vice-President of the Government for Economic Affairs Elena Salgado 12 Jul 2011 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Economic Affairs and the Treasury 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011
Vice-President of the Government for Regional Policy Manuel Chaves 12 Jul 2011 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Regional Policy and the Public Administration Services 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Trinidad Jiménez 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Justice Francisco Caamaño 24 Feb 2009 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Defence Carme Chacón 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSC
Minister for Home Affairs Antonio Camacho 12 Jul 2011 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Public Works José Blanco 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Government Spokesperson 12 Jul 2011 22 Nov 2011
Minister for Education Ángel Gabilondo 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for Employment and Immigration Valeriano Gómez 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade Miguel Sebastián 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Environmental Affairs, and the Rural and Marine Environment Rosa Aguilar 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for the Presidency Ramón Jáuregui 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Culture Ángeles González-Sinde 7 Apr 2009 22 Nov 2011 Independent
Minister for Health, Social Policy and Equality Leire Pajín 21 Oct 2010 22 Nov 2011 PSOE
Minister for Science and Innovation Cristina Garmendia 14 Apr 2008 22 Nov 2011 Independent

November–December 2011

The outgoing Zapatero government remained as acting government until a new government took office on 21 December 2011.

Office Name Term of office Party
Took office Left office
President of the Government José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Vice-President of the Government for Economic Affairs Elena Salgado 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Economic Affairs and the Treasury 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011
Vice-President of the Government for Regional Policy Manuel Chaves 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Regional Policy and the Public Administration Services 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Trinidad Jiménez 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Justice Francisco Caamaño 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Defence Carme Chacón 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSC
Minister for Home Affairs Antonio Camacho 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Public Works José Blanco 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Government Spokesperson 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011
Minister for Education Ángel Gabilondo 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 Independent
Minister for Employment and Immigration Valeriano Gómez 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade Miguel Sebastián 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Environmental Affairs, and the Rural and Marine Environment Rosa Aguilar 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 Independent
Minister for the Presidency Ramón Jáuregui 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Culture Ángeles González-Sinde 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 Independent
Minister for Health, Social Policy and Equality Leire Pajín 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 PSOE
Minister for Science and Innovation Cristina Garmendia 22 Nov 2011 21 Dec 2011 Independent

References

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