September 2003

Government reshuffle prepares for run-up to elections

3 September. After the ratification of Mariano Rajoy as new party secretary and candidate for the next presidency of Spain, together with the departure of Josep Piqué from Sciences and technology, the cabinet has been reshuffled. Here are the new posts:

New cabinet ministers:
Juan Costa is new minister of Science and Technology
Julia García-Valdecasas minister of Public Administrations (relating to regional and local government as well as coordination between ministries)

New posts:
Eduardo Zaplana becomes spokesman, while retaining Labour
Javier Arenas, former party secretary and minister for public administrations, takes over Presidency (something like Cabinet Secretary) and becomes second vice-president
Rodrigo Rato is now first vice-president

Julia García-Valdecasas was up to now government representative in Catalonia.

Juan Costa was secretary of state for trade and tourism.

Note: in Spain a Minister is of higher rank than a Secretary of State.