WUNRN
April 14, 2008
He
has always been something of a ladies' man. But now Spain's prime minister,
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, has proved his feminist credentials by naming
more women than men to his new cabinet.
Nine out of the 17 senior figures in Zapatero's re-elected Socialist government will be women, making them a cabinet majority for the first time.
Announcing the new cabinet, Zapatero said: "I feel very proud that there are more women ministers than men."
When Zapatero won his first general election in 2004, he named women to half the cabinet posts. But with the creation of two new ministries and the amalgamation of others, the balance has tipped.
Among the surprises was Carme Chacón, the new minister of defence. The post makes her part of Zapatero's inner circle, which also includes vice-president María Teresa Fernández de la Vega.
Zapatero also named 31-year-old Bibiana Aido as the minister for equality, making her the youngest cabinet minister in Spanish history. Previously she served in the Andalucian regional government.
Eyebrows were raised at the appointment of Beatriz Corredor as housing minister. With less than a year's experience of politics, working with the Socialist party in Madrid, Correador has been handed one of the most challenging jobs as Spain's previously booming construction industry spirals into crisis.
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