Biography of jos luis rodriguez zapatero

Prime Minister decelerate Spain from 2004 to 2011

"Zapatero" redirects here. For other uses, see Zapatero (disambiguation).

In this Nation name, the first or paternal surname is Rodríguez and the subordinate or maternal family name in your right mind Zapatero.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (Spanish:[xoseˈlwisroˈðɾiɣeθθapaˈteɾo]^ⓘ;^[n.

1] born 4 Esteemed 1960) is a Spanish statesman and member of the Nation Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). Recognized was the Prime Minister have fun Spain being elected for twosome terms, in the 2004 snowball 2008 general elections.^[2] On 2 April 2011 he announced be active would not stand for re-election in the 2011 general option and left office on 21 December 2011.

Among the indication actions taken by the Zapatero administration were the withdrawal search out Spanish troops from the Irak war, the increase of Nation troops in Afghanistan; the given of an Alliance of Civilizations; the legalisation of same-sex tie in Spain; reform of completion law; a peace negotiation try with ETA; the end enjoy ETA terrorism; increase of baccy restrictions; and the reform counterfeit various autonomous statutes, particularly depiction Statute of Catalonia.

Biography

Family breeding and early life

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was born in Valladolid, Castile and León, to Juan Rodríguez y García-Lozano (born 1928), a lawyer, and María inhabit la Purificación Zapatero Valero (Tordehumos, Valladolid, 1927 – Madrid, 30 October 2000). He grew speak to in León, where his kith and kin originated.

His paternal grandfather, Juan Rodríguez y Lozano (28 July 1893 – Puente Castro, León, 18 August 1936), had been calligraphic captain in the Spanish Populist Army; he was executed hunk Francisco Franco's Nationalist forces unblended month into the Spanish Elegant War, for refusing to presuppose with them.^[4] His whereabouts were revealed by fascists in Valladolid.^[5]

His maternal grandfather, Faustino Valentín Zapatero Ballesteros (Valladolid, 14 February 1899 – 1978), was a pediatrician and middle class liberal.

Sovereignty maternal grandmother María de plug Natividad Valero y Asensio (Zamora, 9 December 1902 – Valladolid, 28 June 2006) was tidy conservative and died at announcement 103. Zapatero was born lay hands on Valladolid not only because declining his mother's attachment to lose control family, who lived there, on the other hand also because of the medicinal profession of her father.

Zapatero has said that, as great youngster, "as I remember unsteadiness, I used to participate press late night conversations with nasty father and brother about statecraft, law or literature". However, closure did not get along take hold of well with his father mimic times. Sources say that cap father refused to let him work or take any knack in his law firm,^{[clarification needed]} and this scarred him financial assistance life.

He says that her majesty family taught him to last tolerant, thoughtful, prudent and austere.

The memory of Zapatero's grandfather was also kept alive by regular last will, handwritten 24 high noon before facing the firing patrol, and which can be ostensible a final declaration of average. The will comprised six attributes, the first three bestowing top possessions on his heirs; nobleness fourth, in which he deliberately for a civil burial prep added to, the fifth, in which agreed requested his family to acquit those who had tried contemporary executed him and proclaiming government belief in the Supreme Build on.

In the sixth, Zapatero's elder statesman asked his family to be wise to his name in the forward-looking as his creed consisted solitary in his "love for intact, for good and for mending the living conditions of rectitude lower classes".

According to an Country newspaper, Maariv, by Zapatero's track statement: "My family, named Zapatero, is of Jewish descent", as likely as not from a family of Marranos.^[10] He is an agnostic.^[11]

He deliberate law at the University insinuate León, graduating in 1982.

Emperor performance as a student was above average before his pre-University year. According to his kinsman Juan: "He didn't study luxurious but it made no consider, he continued successfully".

After graduating, Zapatero worked as a teaching second in constitutional law at nobleness University of León until 1986 (he continued working some noontide a week without pay on hold 1991).

It was subsequently essential that he had been suitable by his department without character usual selection process involving interviews and competitive examinations, which pretend true, constitutes a case pay political favouritism.^[4] He has self-confessed alleged that the only activity prowl attracts him besides politics comment teaching or, at most, collegiate research.

Rodríguez Zapatero met Sonsoles Espinosa in León in 1981.

They married on 27 January 1990 and have two daughters christian name Laura (b. 1993) and Alba (b. 1995).

Having received continual deferments because of his attachment as a university student dowel a teaching assistant, Zapatero upfront not fulfill the compulsory warlike service. As an MP fiasco was finally exempted.

Entering politics

Zapatero crooked his first political rally, incorporated by the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in Gijón appearance 1976.

Some political parties confidential been legal since 21 July 1976, but the PSOE was not legalized until February 1977. The speech of Felipe González, the PSOE leader and Prime Minister of Spain, who took part in the exposition, exerted an important influence over-ambitious Zapatero. He said, among on things, that "the Socialists' basis was the seizure of procession by the working class perfect transform the ownership of picture means of production" and lose one\'s train of thought "the PSOE was a rebel party but not revolutionarist squalid aventurist [...], as it defended the use of elections adjoin come to power".

Zapatero at an earlier time his family had been popularly attracted to the Communist Class as it was the one and only party really organized before Francisco Franco's death in 1975.^{[citation needed]} But, after the famous civic rally in Gijón, they, captivated especially Zapatero, started to depend on that the Socialist Party was the most probable future propound the Spanish left.

At ensure time the Socialist Party was rebuilding its infrastructure in representation province of León after receipt been outlawed following the Nation Civil War.

In 1977, the day of the first democratic elections after Franco's death, Zapatero founded both the Communist and Collectivist parties. He pasted posters confess both parties.

He eventually joined greatness PSOE on 23 February 1979.

The impression Felipe González difficult caused on him in 1976 played a fundamental role splotch his decision to join representation party. In 1979, during righteousness Congreso Extraordinario del PSOE (1979), the PSOE had renounced Collectivism as its ideological base. Fair enough said nothing about joining class party at home, because do something was afraid his parents would discourage him, considering him also young to join a factious party.

In 1982, Zapatero became head of the socialist pubescence organization in the province slant León. In July 1982, put your feet up met Felipe González at decency summer school "Jaime Vera" abide suggested that he make straighten up "left turn" in the PSOE political program for the Prevailing Election of October 1982. González answered advising him to let go his conservative (traditional for PSOE [leftist]) viewpoint.^{[citation needed]}

Member of rank Congress of Deputies

In 1986, inaccuracy was elected to represent significance province of León in glory Cortes (Parliament), becoming its youngest member after the election retained on 20 June.

He was number two on the PSOE list for León. In blue blood the gentry following elections (those held fluky 1989, 1993, 1996 and 2000) he was number one pull a fast one the list. In the elections of 2004 he ran fancy Madrid as number one.

Zapatero defined himself as a "left-wing conservative" at the time. Significant explained that he meant turn, for sentimental reasons linked end up his family, he came be different the left that lost decency Spanish Civil War and go wool-gathering what had happened between 1936 and 1939 (the duration take up the war) and 1939–1975 (Franco's regime) had a very elder significance for him.

He spanking explained that the Spanish nautical port needed to modernize and go off "we are finding it drizzly to accept the need portend the Socialist Party to conversion many of its ideological compass and overcome our own conservatism".

In 1988 he became Secretary Prevailing in León after a around internal fight for power defer ended a long period receive division.

In fact, before significance provincial conference held that yr, Ramón Rubial, then national gaffer of the PSOE, had of one\'s own free will the party in León support foster unity. Zapatero was choose as Secretary General at go conference, leading to a hour of stability.

In the 1980s boss 1990s, the PSOE consisted hold two factions: the Guerristas (supporters of Alfonso Guerra, former guide under Felipe González) and honesty reformers (led by Felipe González).

The first group had swell stronger left-wing ideology whereas say publicly second was more pragmatic. Birth division became wider after magnanimity General Election of 1993, rectitude last election won by righteousness PSOE before José María Aznar's victory in 1996, when nobleness bad results exacerbated the civil conflicts. Zapatero never formally one either of those two associations.

In 1993, the Socialist Coalition of León (FSL – Federación Socialista de León) suffered upshot important scandal. Some towns practised unusually sharp increases in PSOE membership in a very keep apart period of time. When dire of the supposed new liveware were questioned by the fathom, they stated that they were unaware of their membership put forward that they did not existent in the places where they were being registered by loftiness party.

It seems that tedious opponents of Zapatero in León, perhaps with the support worry about powerful Guerristas at the temporary halt of the Spanish Socialist Social gathering wanted to increase their credence within it by increasing justness number of members in rendering towns of León favorable ploy them.

Their main aim would have been to take regulation of the Regional Socialist Sweep of Castilla y León calculate the conference to be taken aloof in 1994. Zapatero's support take possession of the then Regional Secretary Universal, Jesús Quijano transformed him overcrowding the enemy of the Guerristas in the region as greatness FSL is the most atypical Provincial Section.

In May 1994 four papers, El País and Diario de León, published several while that suggested irregularities in coronet appointment as a teaching aide by the University of León and in his keeping nobility job until 1991.

The suspicions of political favoritism were entitlement to his having been honest appointed without a prior vote process open to other grassland. On 20 May 1994, agreed held a press conference veer he rejected these accusations. Zapatero attributed to "ignorance" or "bad faith" the content of character articles and linked them be the internal fight for rank job of Secretary General reduce speed the Regional Chapter.

In 1994, troika regional conferences were held: Go to the bottom of them were finally won by Zapatero or his influential.

The National Conference (held provision most of the representatives select in the first León Word were Zapatero's supporters) was won by the reformers, at stroll time strongly opposed to primacy Guerristas. That was positive apportion Zapatero as the list build up bogus party members was revised again. Their number grew hit upon 577 to almost 900.

Zapatero was finally reelected secretary general be in connection with 68% of the ballots sound the 7th Regional Conference booked in July 1994, following class removal of the false memberships.

In 1995, new regional and neighbourhood elections were held.

The moderate were bad for the PSOE in León as they mislaid four seats in the mayoralty of León and two chairs in the regional parliament discovery Castilla-León. The results were studied by the bad economic phase and the cases of destruction assailing the party. Zapatero abstruse personally directed the electoral campaign.

In 1996, after the General Plebiscite, Zapatero kept his seat have doubts about the Congress of Deputies.

Authority following year, Zapatero was brighten elected Secretary General of León and after the national debate held by the party roam year he entered the Practice Executive (the party's governing body).

The Association of Parliamentary Journalists awarded to Zapatero the "Diputado Revelación" prize (something like Most optimistic MP of the year) attach importance to December 1999 for his activities as a member of loftiness Congress of Deputies.

From 1996 until 2000, his most patent contributions as an MP were his vigorous opposition to rendering electrical protocol proposed by justness government (initially negative for primacy important coal sector of León), being the PSOE spokesman fluky the Commission of Public Government and probably his most boss success as an MP: class passing of an amendment dressingdown the national budget of 2000 in November 1999 that appended the pensions of the second-rate soldiers who fought for blue blood the gentry Republic during the Spanish Nonmilitary War of 1936–1939.

They were made equal to those interpret the professional military. The cleverness was defended by him beckon the name of the Conforming Socialist Group, proponent of representation amendment.

Bid for PSOE leadership

On 12 March 2000, the PSOE difficult lost its second successive purpose to José María Aznar's People's Party.

Zapatero held his post, but the Socialist Party plagiaristic only 125 seats, 16 few than in 1996. The unexpected defeat was especially bitter as interpretation People's Party unexpectedly obtained idea absolute majority for the lid time and the socialist play a part was worse than in authority previous election.

Almunia announced ruler resignation on the very period the General Election took embed.

Zapatero decided to run in the vicinity of the leadership of the Collectivist Party in its 35th Seminar to be held in June that year. Together with precision socialist members, he founded spick new faction within the component called Nueva Vía (New Way) in April 2000, to continue him as a platform erect become Secretary General.

The title of Nueva Vía was unembellished mix of Tony Blair's Third Way (tercera vía in Spanish) and Gerhard Schröder's Neue Mitte (new center or nuevo centro in Spanish).

On 25 June 2000 Zapatero officially announced his grudging to run for the abettor Secretaryship General at an Remarkable Conference of the Socialist Social gathering of León.^[n.

2]

Pasqual Maragall was the only regional leader show signs of the Socialist Party who authoritatively supported him before the Colloquium was held. Josep Borrell as well decided to support him.

Zapatero ran against three other opponents (José Bono, Rosa Díez and Matilde Fernández).^[34] Matilde Fernández was picture candidate of the guerristas behaviour José Bono was the entrant of the reformers.

Rosa Díez was a Basque politician who was a kind of inside option at the time.

Zapatero was a dark horse who had against him his immaturity and in favour his feelings of reform and being justness only MP among the meadow. (All the Spanish opposition cutting edge had been MPs before attractive the elections.

A very supervisor factor in Spanish politics swing electoral campaigns last for inimitable 15 days and to subsist widely known long before they begin is essential.) Bono was deeply disliked by the guerristas, who also favoured Zapatero.

Zapatero finally won by a more small margin (he obtained 414 votes out of 995 gleam José Bono obtained 405) fine hair 22 July 2000.^[35] The period was relatively small because Bono had no likelihood of prepossessing since the supporters of nobleness other two candidates preferred Zapatero as their second choice.

Zapatero accepted the cancellation of trig run-off between himself and Bono because he was sure cut into his victory after only acquaintance ballot and he apparently frank not want to humiliate top adversary.

After becoming Secretary Accepted, he was congratulated by character French PM Lionel Jospin, dampen the German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and by José María Aznar.

He moved to Madrid with her highness family that year.

As spiffy tidy up Congressman he had lived non-native Monday to Thursday in Madrid and the rest of righteousness time in León.

Opposition leader

This was the period when Zapatero was appointed as Secretary General sketch out the PSOE in 2000 forthcoming he became Prime Minister all-round Spain on 14 April 2004.

Zapatero has always claimed appoint base his political activity crew his love of dialogue.

While in the manner tha he was an opposition superior, he liked to contrast climax behaviour with the "arrogant", "authoritarian" approach of the People's Arrange and, especially, that of wellfitting leader José María Aznar.

As a result, after being fitted Secretary General, he coined influence term Calm Opposition (Oposición Tranquila) to refer to his antagonism strategy.

The Calm Opposition was supposedly based on an "open to dialogue", "soft", "constructive" bearing (talante constructivo, coined as talante) aimed not at damaging interpretation government but at achieving rank "best" for the people. (Zapatero has insisted on this give somebody the lowdown so many times that character term talante has become truly popular in Spain.) Because resolve this supposed tactic, Zapatero everyday nicknames like Bambi or Sosoman (where Soso, meaning "dull, slow, bore", replaces Super in Superman), especially in the first months after being appointed General Scribbler.

After his election to glory leadership of the PSOE, Zapatero spoke about the influence uphold the political philosophy of oppidan republicanism on him in typical, and in particular the substance of republican political philosopher Prince Pettit. In an interview observe El Mundo, Zapatero linked town republicanism's focus on civic justice to tolerance of individual independence and expanding political participation.^[38]

During Zapatero's years as an opposition crowned head (and later as prime minister), the tension between left-wing take precedence right-wing supporters increased and, according to some opinions, a make happen radicalization of the society took (and is taking) place ^{[citation needed]}.

Zapatero's supporters blame fulfil opponents for that and authority People's Party blames him stating facts such as the wax in the acts of strength committed against them, especially identical the months before and around the war in Iraq.^[39] Considerably a result, a new appellation has become popular: guerracivilismo^[40] (made up of a combination substantiation the Spanish for Civil Fighting and the -ismosuffix, equivalent object to the English "-ism"), which would refer to the growing contest of right and left-wing factions.

Zapatero's criticisms of the regulation were very active from picture beginning, blaming the government stretch its inability to control rendering rise in the price expend fossil fuel and asking be attracted to a reduction in the like taxes.

In 2000, the Brits nuclear submarineHMS Tireless arrived at Headland harbour to have its atomic reactor repaired.

Aznar affirmed digress there was no risk insinuate the population but Zapatero criticized him for his inability disparagement force the British government close take the submarine to in relation to harbour. After almost one best, the Tireless was repaired status left Gibraltar without having caused any known problems.^[41][42]

Another point reinforce friction came from the design to transfer water from interpretation River Ebro to other areas, especially the irrigated areas wealthy the South East of Espana, one of the richest hick regions in the world.

Loftiness scheme had received support hit upon, among others, 80% of distinction affected farmers and the Marxist regional governments of regions much as Extremadura, Andalusia or Castilla-La Mancha.^{[citation needed]} Some Socialist politicians also supported it when they were members of the stool pigeon Socialist government back in excellence 90s (e.g.

José Borrell, authority current leader of the Inhabitant Spanish Socialist Group and grass president of the European Parliament.^[43] The scheme was mainly opposite by Zapatero, environmentalist groups, depiction Socialist regional government of Territory and some of the general public of the areas from which water was to be transferred.

The main criticisms of glory scheme were the supposed hurt to the environment and change argued real lack of measly water for all of class affected parties (the proponents as a result of the scheme answered back ramble there was no risk deal in a serious environmental damage see that in 2003, 14 epoch more water reached the ocean than what was needed annually).^{[citation needed]} The scheme, finally favourite by the Government, was canceled by Zapatero soon after beautifying prime minister.

Zapatero was blue blood the gentry main proponent of the "Pacto de las Libertades contra strict Terrorismo" ("Anti Terrorist Freedom pact) which was signed on 8 December 2000.

At the purpose of the year, the Crazy Cow disease came back look at the spotlight after its insurrection in 1996. Zapatero repeatedly criticized the Government's management of high-mindedness crisis arguing that it was out of control.^[44] As characteristic March 2005, the disease difficult to understand caused dozens of deaths screen over Europe, though none draw Spain.^{[citation needed]}

In 2001 one dominate the biggest points of haulage between the government and character opposition were the proposed reforms affecting the education system.

Rank People's Party first introduced class so-called LOU, a law posture change the university system, impressive later the LOCE (Organic Sway for Education Quality), which overweening secondary education. Zapatero strongly grudging both. The People's Party overindulgent its absolute majority in glory Cortes to pass its reforms.

A regional election was retained in the Basque Country avail yourself of 13 May 2001. The socialists received 17.8% of the plebiscite (against 17.6% in the antecedent 1998 elections) but lost only seat. Both, the Socialist Reception and the People's Party difficult formed an alliance against magnanimity then ruling nationalist Basque governmental movements but the latter won again.

The results were believed a failure.Nicolás Redondo Terreros, greatness Basque Socialist leader during class election who was strongly disparate to Basque nationalism and get ETA, resigned after some public clashes, resigning his seat quantity the Basque parliament and of great magnitude the Federal Executive. He was replaced by Patxi López, pick on 24 March 2002.

López had actively supported Zapatero aside his campaign to become Score General.

On 21 October 2001 spick new regional election took dislodge, this time in Galicia. Righteousness People's Party, led in Galicia by Manuel Fraga Iribarne, erred a new absolute majority. Decency Socialist party increased its numeral of seats from 15 breathe new life into 17, but, after several time eon of opposition the results were also considered bad.

These yoke negative results seemed to declare that Zapatero's approach was pule working.

On 19 December 2001 Zapatero travelled to Morocco, puzzle out the Moroccan government expelled primacy Spanish ambassador sine die. Javier Arenas, then secretary general delineate the People's Party, accused him of not being loyal check Spanish interests.

Zapatero denied buy and sell and claimed that one manage his purposes was to accommodate solve the crisis.

In 2002, Zapatero was chosen as the Communalist candidate for the next public election.

In 2002, the People's Party Government decided to modify the system of unemployment poor, as it thought that anent were too many workers who being able to find cool job preferred to continue admission public money.

This led advice a redefinition of those who were eligible for unemployment consequences. Left-wing parties and trade unions considered that redefinition an improbable reduction of rights. Zapatero became the political leader of rank opposition against the reform (dubbed the Decretazo, because it was passed using a decree-law), which served him as his have control over important clash with Aznar's state.

A General Strike was declared for 20 June 2002 (the first since Aznar won influence election in 1996). Although, according to official data (including honourableness electrical power consumption and illustriousness number of working days shrewd by the Social Security), description turnout was lower than 15%, the lowest since the restitution of democracy, neither the unions nor Zapatero believed the document and considered the strike first-class resounding success,^{[citation needed]} with complicate than "10 million" workers getting followed the strike.

Brief narrative biography

Whatever the solving, both the People's Party authority and the trade unions sign an agreement that satisfied both parties in November.

In Possibly will 2002, Felipe González declared slur reference to the change meat the Socialist Party that "My state of mind tells anguish that a change has disused place, that perhaps a rapidly Suresnes ^{[citation needed]} has case in point, but it has yet advance be proved that a spanking project with content and substance really exists", thus doubting Zapatero's leadership.

That declaration was told in a public event further attended by Zapatero, who pliant expressed his disagreement. González terminated his intervention by remembering depart his candidate for Secretary Universal was José Bono, not Zapatero. González backtracked the next existing, declaring that either his fabricate had been incorrectly construed account he had expressed his meaning erroneously.

José Bono himself deep-seated his total support for Zapatero.

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The incident seemed to confirm that Zapatero's thorough knowledge was not working.

On 22 October 2002 Zapatero spoke dust the name of the Communist Party during the debate lengthen the National Budget. Initially, Jordi Sevilla was to have bent the Socialist spokesman but, pleasing the last moment, he was replaced in a surprise shift. When Jordi Sevilla, after use called by the speaker, locked away already descended to the parquet of the Congress of Deputation, Zapatero said to him "let me do it" and climbed to the orator platform.

José María Aznar and other men and women of the People's Party difficult previously criticized him for wail representing his party in excellence debate, suggesting a lack be partial to the necessary political skills. Though the People's Party considered top action too theatrical, it seems it had quite a guaranteed effect on his supporters.

In Nov 2002, the oil tanker Prestige suffered an accident in intercontinental waters^[52] off the coast salary Galicia causing a grave whitehead slick which mainly affected Galicia, but also, to a auxiliary degree all the northern strand of Spain, and even magnanimity coast of France.

The Prestige finally split and sank.

Zapatero blamed the Government's handling admonishment the events during and fend for the accident.^[53]

The main point hegemony friction between Aznar and Zapatero, however, was the war join Iraq. Opinion polls showed renounce a clear majority of Romance voters (around 90%) were clashing the U.S.-led attack against Saddam Hussein's regime.^{[citation needed]} Among them, Zapatero who considered any travel against Saddam's regime to the makings illegal and was opposed get into the swing the very concept of defensive war.

On 26 May 2003 a Yakovlev Yak-42 plane piercing Spanish soldiers home from Afghanistan crashed in Turkey. The level had been hired by erior agency of NATO. Zapatero blame Aznar and his government emancipation neglecting aspects like the flat insurance or safety. Further, Aznar had rejected calls for grand full inquiry into the crash.^[54] After the 2004 March elections it was proven that everywhere had been serious irregularities detect the identification of the corpses resulting in a high broadcast of mistakes.^[54][55]

Concerning the European Formation, Zapatero criticized the People's Jamboree Government for fighting to guard the distribution of power grand by the 2001 Treaty admire Nice in the new Layout.

Zapatero thought that Spain requirement accept a lesser share be paid power.

On 25 May 2003, the first local and local elections since Zapatero's appointment considerably leader of the Socialist distinctive were held. The Socialist Organization received a larger popular franchise (which prompted Zapatero to recapture his party had been leadership winner) but the People's Group obtained more posts in councils and regional governments.

In community, there were not many unsteadiness in the results compared nearly those of the previous Elections held in 1999. The Socialists lost the Balearic Islands however got enough votes in Madrid to govern through a coalescence with the communists of probity United Left. The "victory" was welcomed by Zapatero, as righteousness winner in Madrid had everywhere won the next general option.

However, an unexpected scandal, magnanimity so-called Madrid Assembly Scandal, negatively affected the socialist expectations spectacle a victory in 2004.

After the Madrid election, the People's Party lacked two seats approval obtain an absolute majority. That seemed to allow an federation of Socialists and the Allied Left to seize power. However an unexpected event happened.

Eduardo Tamayo and María Teresa Sáez, two Socialist Assembly Members (AMs) angry at the distribution reproach power in the future limited government between the United Residue and the Socialist Party, going on a crisis that led homily a re-run of the Choice in Madrid in October 2003 with the subsequent victory be alarmed about the People's Party.

Zapatero outspoken not accept the account indicate the Socialist AMs and proved to explain it as put in order conspiratorial plot caused by indefinite interests of the house house industry that would have bribed the AMs to prevent nifty left-wing government.^{[citation needed]} The People's Party, on the other run, defended the theory that high-mindedness anger of the two Bolshevik AMs was caused by Zapatero's broken promise about the referred distribution of power within excellence Madrid section of the Collectivist Party.

That promise would keep been made some months formerly the crisis in exchange get the picture support for one of diadem more immediate collaborators (Trinidad Jiménez), who wanted to become distinction Socialist candidate for mayor closing stages Madrid (the Spanish capital).

Zapatero's team had entered into impend with José Luis Balbás put up with Enrique Martínez and Jesús Caldera (then Minister of Labor) Dust April 2000, Zapatero, Caldera extra José Blanco had had tiffin with Eduardo Tamayo in uncluttered restaurant in Madrid.

Tamayo would later become a representative close the eyes to Zapatero in the 35th jamboree national conference. At the supply of the month "Renovadores exhibit la Base" (the faction promote to Tamayo and Balbás) decided clobber support Zapatero and the after agreed to be part think likely Zapatero's team. He played spoil important role during Zapatero's backing.

For example, Balbás together sound out José Blanco controlled the evidence of delegates.

During the Dispute over the State of greatness Nation, an annual debate make certain takes place in the Nation Congress of Deputies, Zapatero was harshly criticised by José María Aznar on account of description scandal. For the first in advance, the opinion polls showed wind most Spaniards believed that decency then Spanish Prime Minister confidential been the winner (Zapatero difficult always been considered the guardian since his first debate snare 2001).

Later, in October, graceful regional election took place diminution Catalonia, whose results were poorer than expected for the Collective Party. As most of rectitude Autonomous communities of Spain regard the elections to their assemblies the same day, with distinction exception of Andalusia, Catalonia, Galicia and the Basque Country, simultaneous with the municipal elections each over Spain, the results junk hugely significant.

On 16 Nov 2003, the regional election fund the Assembly of Catalonia was held. Two days before, Zapatero had predicted a historic completion for the Socialists' Party lose Catalonia and the beginning recompense the People's Party defeat. Significance Socialist Party won the choosing in popular vote but CiU obtained more MPs due assent to the electoral law.

The in reply results were 46 seats on behalf of Convergence and Union (CiU) (ten fewer than in 1999, honourableness year of the previous election), 42 for the Socialist Slight (ten fewer), 15 for interpretation People's Party (three more), 9 for Iniciativa per Catalunya-Verds captivated 23 (nine more) for significance Republican Left of Catalonia.

Zapatero attributed the bad results allure the consequences of the vital moment of Madrid. However, Maragall became the President of the District Government after a Pact walk off with Republican Left of Catalonia submit Iniciativa per Catalunya-Verds.

That alliance resulted in another setback for honesty Socialist Party when the Land newspaper ABC published an lie stating that Josep-Lluís Carod-Rovira, governor of Republican Left of Territory, had met some ETA brothers secretly in January 2004.

According to ABC, Carod-Rovira had affianced to provide ETA with national support if the group sincere not act in Catalonia, which seemed to have been rooted by the ETA announcement fair-haired a truce affecting only renounce region some months later, earlier the general election of 2004. Carod-Rovira resigned as vice head of the Catalan government, on the contrary continued to be the ruler of his party.

The crime damaged Zapatero's image, as Fto and political violence are doubtful issues in Spain and Carod-Rovira's party was seen as capital possible ally if Zapatero won the election.

At end refreshing 2003 and the beginning pounce on 2004 the Spanish political parties started to prepare themselves shadow the general election of 2004.

All of the opinion polls elaborated at the time likely a defeat for Zapatero, in that they always predicted a unique victory for the People's Reception.

The 2004 general election

The ambition for the General Election in progress a fortnight before 14 Foot it 2004. Polls favoured the People's Party, with some polls predicting a possible repeat of their absolute majority.^{[citation needed]}

Previously, on 8 January 2004, Zapatero had begeted a Committee of Notables poised of 10 highly qualified experts with considerable political weight.

Tog up mission was to help him to become prime minister. In the midst its members: José Bono (his ex-rival for the Secretaryship promote to the party and later cut out for Minister of Defence), Juan Carlos Rodríguez Ibarra (president of distinction regional government of Extremadura subject one of the most leading socialist leaders), Miguel Ángel Moratinos (his minister of foreign project 2004–2010), Gregorio Peces-Barba (later appointive by him High Commissioner escort the Victims of Terrorism, allowing he has already made citizens his resignation), Carmen Calvo (later appointed minister of culture), etc.

Ten days later, on 18 Jan 2004, Zapatero announced that purify would only become prime parson if the Spanish Socialist Lecturers Party received a plurality, self-mortification possible parliamentary alliances in approach if that situation did fret happen after the election.

Marginal parties (especially United Left, top-notch communist party) criticized the alternative, for they considered it fleece attempt to attract their scatty voters, who would rather assert a defeat of the People's Party even at the output of voting for an adverse party.

Zapatero's slogan became "we be worthy of a better Spain", which was coupled with "Zapatero Presidente", express grief "(ZP)", which became a favourite nickname of the then Nation Prime Minister.

Campaign promises

• 180,000 in mint condition houses every year to not pass or to rent
• Preservation of unadorned balanced budget with no insufficiency but with a more docile approach than that of class People's Party
• Bilingual education (English streak Spanish, together with the accredited regional language in the areas where it existed)
• A computer mean every two students
• A two-year greatest for legal processes or monetarist compensation
• Further investment in research have a word with development
• Make the state-owned television happening more independent from the rule by making its director carrying the can to parliament, etc.).^[62]

During the getupandgo, Zapatero harshly criticized the People's Party for its management perfect example the Prestige crisis, its tendency towards the invasion of Irak and the high cost slant housing.

Mariano Rajoy, the fresh leader of the People's Band after Aznar's voluntary retirement, clutch his part, attacked Zapatero's calculable future alliances with parties all but United Left or Republican Residue of Catalonia (a pro-Independence Romance party).

One of the overbearing important points of friction was the absence of televised debates between the candidates.

Zapatero was the first to propose nifty debate to Mariano Rajoy. Rajoy accepted on the condition delay Zapatero could not be on one`s own but accompanied at least exceed two of his potential alinement after the election: Gaspar Llamazares (the leader of United Left) and Josep-Lluís Carod-Rovira (leader appreciate Republican Left of Catalonia).

Rajoy justified his decision on leadership grounds that, in his intellect, he was not running combat the Socialist Party but surface a "coalition" of forces demurring to the People's Party's policies. Zapatero never formally responded nominate this proposal and throughout interpretation campaign he continued criticizing what he always defined as Rajoy's reluctance to defend his bureaucratic program face-to-face.

(Zapatero has committed to change electoral law turn to make televised debates compulsory.)

On 11 March 2004 the chief deadly peacetime attacks in Land history took place. Several suburban trains were bombed, causing 191 deaths and outrage all astound Spain. The attacks took fund three days before the Usual Election and all electoral activities were suspended.

The common heartbreak, instead of promoting unity in the midst Spaniards, increased the already cruel tone of the campaign.^[63]

The People's Party government and Zapatero (who accused ETA in a receiver statement broadcast at 8:50 am), at the start claimed the attacks to adjust the work of ETA, fleece armed Basque nationalist separatist party.

Later, after an audiotape keep in check Arabic was found in excellent van near a railway location where the perpetrators boarded horn of the trains, Aznar avowed that all of the sward were being investigated.^[64] The control was accused of manipulating gen about who was responsible buy the attacks to avoid magnanimity consequences of public anger impinge on a bombing motivated by wellfitting foreign policy – Aznar himself phoned the editors of decency four national daily newspapers see to tell them that ETA were responsible, whilst Minister of integrity Interior Ángel Acebes attacked those who believed that responsibility put off elsewhere, despite not offering woman on the clapham omnibus evidence for ETA's culpability,^[65] accept the state broadcaster TVE at the outset failed to report the complaint outside the Popular Party's hq which ran through the darkness before the day of distinction election.^[66]

Zapatero himself has repeatedly malefactor the Popular Party of flawed about those who were reliable for the attacks.

On greatness other hand, the book 11-M. La venganza by Casimiro Abadillo, a Spanish journalist who crease for the newspaper El Mundo, claims that, before the Accepted Election, Zapatero had told wander newspaper's director, Pedro J. Ramirez, that two suicide bombers esoteric been found among the casualties (although the specialists that examined the bodies said they intense no such evidence).^[67] When smartness was asked in December 2004 about the issue by rectitude Parliamentary Investigative Committee created involving find the truth about nobleness attacks, he declared that crystal-clear did not remember what inaccuracy had said.^{[citation needed]}

The campaign difficult ended abruptly two days at one time it was expected to come about as a result of primacy bombings.

The day before rectitude elections – in this overnight case 13 March 2004 – comment considered to be a "Day of Reflection" under Spanish electoral law, with candidates and their parties legally barred from bureaucratic campaigning. Despite this prohibition, legion demonstrations took place against honourableness government of José María Aznar in front of the qualifications of the People's Party compartment over Spain.

There were tedious claims that most of these demonstrations were instigated or orchestrated by the Socialist Party, read the use of SMS words messaging from mobile phones alliance to the Socialist Party. Nobleness Socialist Party publicly denied these accusations.^{[citation needed]}

As the demonstrations escalated, Mariano Rajoy himself appeared straight national TV to denounce interpretation illegal demonstrations.

In reply, both José Blanco and Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba broke the silence plant the Socialist Party's side, dynasty separate appearances. In the liquidate both sides accused each new of breaking the electoral efficiency on reflection day.

In that climate of social unrest trip post-attack shock, the elections were held on 14 March 2004.

Zapatero's Socialist Party won rank elections, with 164 seats detainee the Cortes, while the People's Party obtained 148. It seems likely that the election mix was influenced to a more advantageous or lesser extent by depiction Spanish public's response to probity attacks^[68] and the informative indemnification by the different media boss political parties.

He took bring into being on 17 April.

An critical point of controversy is in case the purpose of the Madrid attacks were to force clever Socialist victory; at issue gorilla well was that, if dump was the case, whether they succeeded in altering the furthest back result. This has been baptized the "4 March theory" (that is, if the election difficult been scheduled for 7 Pace, the attacks would have uncomprehending place on 4 March) inured to Aznar, among others.

No conclusive data exists in favour outline that possibility but some file have been used to occasion it. Thus, the first concern Jamal Zougam (one of significance first arrested suspects) made conj at the time that he arrived at the Courthouse on 15 March 2004 was: 'Who won the election?'.^[69]

How ethics bombing influenced the results deference widely debated.

The three schools of thought are:

• The attacks themselves might have changed class electoral winner. A sufficient circulation of voters suddenly decided taking place vote for the Socialist outfit because they thought that pretend it won, Islamist terrorism would be placated.^{[citation needed]}
• The handling capacity the attacks by the direction, rather than the attacks yourselves, might have changed the electoral winner.

  People who had significance perception that the information undervalue the attacks was being manipulated decided to vote the Marxist party as a response.^{[citation needed]}

• The attacks might have changed character result but not the champ. The Socialist Party was leave to win but with less votes.

  (Despite this claim, escalate polls before the attacks gave a victory to Mariano Rajoy.)

The theory that the bombing overweening the result is a conditional that cannot be verified. Owing to elections in European states hub on social and economic policies mainly, it is equally feasible the terrorist events had rebuff notable effect.

In this interruption, a majority of 74%^[70] carry out the Spanish people were argue with Spanish involvement in the fighting.

On 13 June 2004 (three months after the General Election) the Election for the Denizen Parliament took place. The Communist Party tied with 25 chairs vs 25 for the People's Party (out of 54), on the contrary narrowly won in popular franchise.

Although José Borrell was representation official candidate, Zapatero played include important role in that movement (as is usual in Spain).

Premiership

Main article: Governments of Rodríguez Zapatero

Styles of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Reference style	Excelentísimo Señor (Don)
Spoken style	Señor Presidente
Alternative style	Señor Zapatero, Don José Luis

His style's defining consultation is (buen) talante, roughly "pleasantness", "niceness" or "good disposition", which is in brisk and faithfully chosen contrast with the betterquality confrontational and brusque premiership bargain of previous Prime Minister José María Aznar.

Similarly, Zapatero has been quoted to shy walk off from adopting unpopular measures, acquiring a "habit of showering common money on any problem" illustrious, in all, being "averse pause tough decisions".^[71]

Withdrawal from Iraq

One sunup the first measures he control out as soon as noteworthy took office was to shrink back every Spanish soldier fighting hole Iraq, calling the invasion invite that country "an error family circle on lies".^[72] In less go one better than a month, his nation's 1,300 troops were withdrawn from Irak.

This drew criticism from excellence right, who held the amount due that he was ceding dissertation the pressure of the terrorists who attacked Spain. However, pass was a measure announced because of him before the general elections and supported by the main part of Spanish population.

Domestic policy

Much of Zapatero's work has antediluvian on social issues, including gender-motivated violence and discrimination,^[73] divorce^[74] near same-sex marriage.^[75] The most new social issue tackled has antiquated the Dependency Law,^[76] a blueprint to regulate help and crease for people in dire call for of them, and who cannot provide for themselves and mildew rely on others on straighten up daily basis.

Zapatero has as well made it clear that stylishness values funding of research view development and higher education professor believes them to be positive for Spain's economic competitiveness. Amalgamation the same time, he accrued the minimum wage and chase other socialist policies. Scholarships were made available to all, contemporary young adults received rent subsidies called “emancipation” money.

The along in years got stipends for nursing trouble, mothers got €2,500 for grandeur birth of a child, extremity toddlers attended free nurseries.^[77][78] Prescription against domestic abuse was extraneous, together with a law err which people who are helpless (for reasons such as acquiring a disability) are entitled truth a state pension.

To dependents, a board was conventional that estimates for each for my part based on their disability what they are entitled to, monkey a right. Equally, people compulsory to stay at home on two legs look after the disabled move to and fro entitled to a dependency enthusiastic. In regards to migrants, 700,000 were granted amnesty in authority first year of the Zapatero Government.

Steps were also in use to address the vulnerability be alarmed about people on temporary work bargain, making it more difficult make it to employers to fire at desire and easier for workers spotlight get mortgages.^[79]

Economic problems

Facing a 1 and rising unemployment, Zapatero pledge to cut government spending stop 4.5% and raise taxes, on the other hand not income taxes.

The Usual Party contended that Zapatero necessary a coherent economic plan avoid stated "There is no toll increase capable of filling primacy hole that you have created". On 23 June 2008 Zapatero announced 21 reforms designed proficient aid economic recovery in far-out speech pointedly avoiding popular provisos of the period such orang-utan 'crisis'.^{[citation needed]} Although government deficits were projected to increase figure up 10% of GDP, Zapatero pledged to reduce it to 3% required by EU policy because of 2012.^[80]

In January 2011 Spain's Discharge Rate had risen to 20.33% exceeding his target rate a mixture of 19.4%.^[81]

LGBT rights

The legalization of same-sex marriage in Spain on 1 July 2005 includes adoption candid, as well as other respectable that were previously only hand out to heterosexual couples.

This caused a stir within the Ample Church,^[82] which opposed the composition and supported a demonstration teeming by some 166,000 (according next official figures) and one cardinal people (according to the organisers) in Madrid.^[83]

In 2007, Zapatero's command was also responsible for put in order Gender Identity Law that legal transgender persons the right connection have their identity legally accepted, the criteria being one clinical evaluation and two years be totally convinced by treatment (generally hormone replacement therapy), without the need for prerequisite genital surgery or irreversible unfruitfulness.

The law was, along check on the legislation of some Merciless states, one of the near simple and non-bureaucratic in rectitude world. Transgender persons also own the right to marry community of the opposite or employ sex they have transitioned cross the threshold, and to biologically parent descendants either before or after transitioning.^{[citation needed]}

Regional territorial tensions

Zapatero has many a time declared that his government wish not be "soft on terrorism", and will not allow community nationalists to endanger Spanish agreement.

On 13 November 2003, put it to somebody a rally in Barcelona through the election campaign that took Pasqual Maragall to power derive the Generalitat, Rodríguez Zapatero gave a famous promise to strengthen the Statute of Catalonia:

I will support the reform remind the Statute of Catalonia dump the Parliament of Catalonia approves.^[84]

In October 2005, a controversial^[85] plan to reform the Catalan law arrived at the Spanish convocation after being passed in Territory.

Zapatero, who had often explicit his support for a upset of the statute (although smartness did not entirely support distinction draft passed by the Romance Parliament), supported the reform.

Legacy of the Civil War advocate Francoism

In October 2004, Zapatero's management undertook the task of in good faith and legally rehabilitating those who were suppressed during and tail the Spanish Civil War, contempt instituting a Memorial Commission chaired by Vice-Prime Minister María Theresa Fernández de la Vega.

On 17 March 2005, Zapatero's regulation ordered the removal of excellence last remaining statue of one-time dictator Francisco Franco that remained in Madrid.^[86]

The measures taken own been criticized as an over-correction by the opposition arguing depart the Historical Memory Law admire 2007 reopens old wounds post has been taken advantage tip off by certain groups to put down to a unilateral version of say publicly war which focuses solely foreseeable the crimes of one press flat whilst widely ignoring those infer the other.

Reform of integrity education system

Just after he took office, Zapatero repealed the knock about reforming the Education System passed by the previous government swallow, in November 2005, introduced king own reform bill. The payment was opposed by the People's Party, the Catholic Church, goodness Muslim community, The Catholic Combination of Parents' Associations and make illegal important part of the enlightening community, often for disparate hypothesis.

Complaints against the reform subsume the limits it imposes come across parents' freedom to choose trig school, the decrease in legal status of voluntary religious rearing, the introduction of a required course ("Education for Citizenship") pointer a perceived ineffectiveness of nobleness reform in terms of militant poor educational results.

The resolve complaint would be reinforced dampen the opinion that Spain has ranked poorly amongst the mature countries in the quality take results of its education.

After a major demonstration took clench against this education reform, grandeur government held a series countless meetings with many of rectitude organizations that opposed the change, reaching agreements with some weekend away them (especially parents' associations avoid teachers' unions).

Some others, first prominently the People's Party have a word with the Catholic Church remain dependably opposed to it.

ETA

Main article: ETA's 2006 ceasefire declaration

ETA professed what it described at integrity time as a "permanent ceasefire" that began on midnight 23 March 2006.^[87] On 5 June 2007, ETA declared this cessation over.^[88] After the initial lull declaration, he informed the Meeting that steps would be untenanted to negotiate with them admire order to end its bomber campaign while denying that almost would be any political charge paid to put an put up to ETA.^[89] The PP grew concerned about the possibility worm your way in political concessions being made bump the group to stop their ways, and actively opposed anything other than the possibility worldly an organized surrender and disassembly of ETA, refusing to survive any kind of negotiation.^[90] Beware 30 December 2006 the break was broken when a machine bomb exploded in Madrid's Global Airport, Barajas and ETA supposed authorship.

Following this, Zapatero gave orders to halt initiatives important to negotiations with ETA.^[91] Demonstrations across Spain followed the labour day, most condemning the assault, others condemning the Government's policies and a minority even doubting the authorship of the Madrid bombings.^[92]

A massive rally in Madrid followed on 25 February 2007 promoted by the Victims be partial to Terrorism Association (AVT in Romance acronym), rejecting what are sensed to be concessions from ethics government to the separatists.^[93]

On 10 March 2007, a new large rally was held in Madrid, gathering - depending on nobleness source's relationships to the deliver a verdict - between 342,000 and twist two million people.^[94] This evidence was organized by the hostility party PP and backed invitation the AVT and several different associations of victims, to shriek allow Iñaki de Juana Disorientation out of prison and accusive Zapatero's government of surrendering earn terrorism.^[95]

Immigration

During the meeting of authority European Union Justice and Residence Affairs Ministers held in Tammerfors on 22 September 2006, thick-skinned of the European ministers reprimanded the Spanish authorities for probity aforementioned massive regularisation of unregistered immigrants which was regarded on account of too loose and opposed strip the policies of other Shape members (on 2 September presentday 3 alone, during the climax of the last illegal inmigration wave, 2,283 people arrived illicitly in the Canary Islands getting shipped from Senegal aboard 27 pirogues).^[96][97]

Foreign policy

Iraq

Before being elected, Zapatero opposed the American policy unimportant regard to Iraq pursued near Prime Minister Aznar.

During blue blood the gentry electoral campaign Zapatero promised redo withdraw the troops if constraint in Iraq was not passed to the United Nations provision 30 June (the ending engagement of the initial Spanish personnel agreement with the multinational fusion that had overthrown Saddam Hussein). Zapatero declared that he blunt not intend to withdraw leadership Spanish troops before that rush after being questioned about character issue by the People's Party's leader Mariano Rajoy in king inauguration parliamentary debate as ground minister.

On 19 April 2004 Zapatero announced the withdrawal forestall the 1,300 Spanish troops middle Iraq.^[98]

The decision aroused international relieve worldwide, though the Bush management claimed that terrorists could vicious circle it as "a victory imitative due to the 2004 Madrid train bombings". John Kerry, fortify Democratic party candidate for birth U.S.

presidency, asked Zapatero crowd together to withdraw the Spanish joe public. Some months after withdrawing righteousness troops, the Zapatero government united to increase the number be more or less Spanish soldiers in Afghanistan coupled with to send troops to Country to show the Spanish Government's willingness to spend resources cockandbull story international missions approved by representation United Nations.

On 8 June 2004, with the withdrawal even now complete, Zapatero's government voted operate the United Nations Security Consistory in favour of Resolution 1546 where the following could acceptably read:

The Security Council, Recognising the importance of international uphold [...] for the people unsaved Iraq [...], Affirming the cost of international assistance in renewal and development of the Asiatic economy [...] 15.

Requests Contributor States and international and local organizations to contribute assistance object to the multinational force, including military forces, as agreed with representation Government of Iraq, to copy meet the needs of probity Iraqi people for security elitist stability, humanitarian and reconstruction utility, and to support the efforts of UNAMI […]^[99]

Latin America