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
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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Second Republic-era |
- I
- II
- III
- IV
- V
- VI
- VII
- XIII
- IX
- X
- XI
- XII
- XIII
- XIV
- XV
- XVI
- XVII
- XVIII
- XIX
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Franco-era |
- Franco I
- Franco II
- Franco III
- Franco IV
- Franco V
- Franco VI
- Franco VII
- Franco VIII
- Franco IX
- Franco X
- Franco XI
- Franco XII
- Carrero
- Arias I
- Arias II
|
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|
since 1975 | |
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