José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was born in Valladolid, Castilla y León, on August 4th, 1960. He is the former Prime Minister of Spain, serving two times, the first in 2004 and the second term in 2008.
Political Career
During the year 1979, he joined the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). In 1982, he became the leader of the socialist youth organization in the province of León. Zapatero was elected to the national parliament and became the youngest member during 1986. Two years after, he was appointed as Secretary-General of the León provincial federation of the (PSOE). Zapatero was able to maintain his seat in the Congress of Deputies after General Election in 1996. From 2000 to 2012, he ran for leadership of the Socialist Party (PSOE) and was elected Secretary General. He was elected as Prime Minister of Spain in 2004. Zapatero’s Socialist Party won the general elections, having more seats (164) in the Cortes than the People’s Party with only (148). During his time as Prime Minister: he withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq, legalized same-sex marriage (2005), criminalization of domestic violence, reformed the education system, increase of Spanish troops in Afghanistan. Zapatero was re-elected as Prime Minister of Spain, serving from 2008 to 2011.
Education
Jose Zapatero graduated with a degree in Law from the University of León in 1982. He then worked as a member of the faculty of the University after graduating from 1982 to 1986.
Learn more
International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy & Religion, "The Promotion of World Peace through Inter-Faith Dialogue & the Unity of Faiths", Center for Cultural Diplomacy - Publications, Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, Rome, Italy, March 31st - April 3rd 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpH11rjhd1k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ1plBf0VWM
External Links
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/962009/Jose-Luis-Rodriguez-Zapatero
