José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero
| José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero | |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Spain | |
| In office
16 April 2004 – 21 December 2011 | |
| Monarch | Juan Carlos I |
| Deputy | María Teresa Fernández de la Vega
Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba Elena Salgado |
| Preceded by | José María Aznar |
| Succeeded by | Mariano Rajoy |
| Secretary-General of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party | |
| In office
22 July 2000 – 4 February 2012 | |
| President | Manuel Chaves |
| Preceded by | Joaquín Almunia |
| Succeeded | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office
22 July 2000 – 16 April 2004 | |
| Prime Minister | José María Aznar |
| Preceded by | Luis Martínez Noval |
| Succeeded by | Mariano Rajoy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 August 1960 (age 54)
Spain |
| Political party | Socialist Workers' Party |
| Spouse(s) | Sonsoles Espinosa(1990–present) |
| Children | Laura
Alba |
| Alma mater | University of León |
| Religion | Agnosticism |
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.
Further Information
External Links
Barcelona Center for International Affairs
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joaquín Almunia | Secretary-General of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
2000–2012 |
Succeeded by
Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Joaquín Almunia | Leader of the Opposition
2000–2004 |
Succeeded by
Mariano Rajoy |
| Preceded by José María Aznar | Prime Minister of Spain
2004–2011 | |
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