Click
here for a resume of the
political career of Rodriguez Zapatero, President of Spain.
Spain's
president, known as "Zapatero" although his full surnames in Rodriguez
Zapatero, is married and has two daughters. He is fiercely private about his private
life, and unlike his predecesor Aznar, is reluctant to pose for family pictures
for the press. His wife maintains a very discreet presence at official events
and receptions, and keeps out of the limelight as much as possible. When he became
President of the Spanish Government, Zapatero asked the Spanish media to respect
the privacy of his wife and daughters. And to a great extent, the media has respected
his wish.
President of Spain or Prime Minister? In
theory, the president of Spain is not a president at all. Spain is a constututional
monarchy, the King is the Head of State and has to approve the appointment of
the head of government who, in other constitutional monarchies, would be referred
to as prime minister.
However, the Spanish constitution refers to the leader
of government as president, and so do Spaniards, Spanish media and protocol. All
leaders of Spain's regional autonomies are known as "presidents" too.
We have been unable to find any reason behind this. Before the Spanish
Civil War Spain had a President, but of course at that time the country was a
Republic. Maybe the experts and politicians who took part in drawing up the present
constitution after Franco's death "president" had symbolic value (Franco
preferred to be called General during his dictatorship) among Spaniards yearning
to complete the transition from dictatorship to democracy. Whatever the reason,
although José Luis Rodriguez
Zapatero is often called "prime minister" by foreign media,
within his own country he is known as the President of Spain or Presidente
of Government.
News
from Spain
Rodriguez
Zapatero