Rajoy announces his cabinet
Friday, November 4, 2016 @ 9:45 AM
PRESIDENT of Spain Mariano Rajoy has told King Felipe VI who will occupy the various positions within his cabinet, before making an announcement to the nation.
The PP leader's former right-hand woman, 'iron lady' María Dolores de Cospedal, has been placed at the head of the ministry of defence – mirroring the decision of Rajoy's predecessor, socialist José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who was the first to nominate a woman for the job in Carme Chacón.
Former mayor of Sevilla Juan Ignacio Zoido is now interior minister, whilst Catalunya-born Dolors Montserrat takes over health, social services and equality.
Vice-president Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, one of the PP government's most well-respected figureheads even among supporters of the opposition, will keep her role but also take over presidential affairs and territorial administration, giving her a greater range of responsibility.
Foreign affairs and cooperation, previously headed up by José Manuel García-Margallo, will go to Alfonso Dastis, and energy, tourism and digital agenda will be led by Álvaro Nadal.
Although the cabinet includes some new faces, many others will remain in their jobs.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com