First government of Mariano Rajoy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 1st government of Mariano Rajoy
Government of Spain
2011–2016
The government in December 2011.
Date formed	22 December 2011
Date dissolved	4 November 2016
People and organisations
Monarch	Juan Carlos I (2011–2014) Felipe VI (2014–2016)
Prime Minister	Mariano Rajoy
Deputy Prime Minister	Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría
No. of ministers	13
Total no. of members	17
Member party	PP
Status in legislature	Majority government (2011–2016) Caretaker government (2016)
Opposition party	PSOE
Opposition leader	Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba (2011–2014) Pedro Sánchez (2014–2016)
History
Election(s)	2011 general election
Outgoing election	2015 general election 2016 general election
Legislature term(s)	10th Cortes Generales 11th Cortes Generales
Budget(s)	2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Outgoing formation	2015–2016 government formation
Predecessor	Zapatero II
Successor	Rajoy II

The first government led by Mariano Rajoy was formed in Spain on December 22, 2011. This happened after his political party, the People's Party (PP), won the 2011 Spanish general election. Rajoy was chosen as the Prime Minister of Spain by the Spanish Parliament on December 20 and officially sworn in the next day.

This government took over from the previous one led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. It was in charge of Spain from December 22, 2011, until November 4, 2016. The cabinet included members from the People's Party and some independent politicians. After the 2015 Spanish general election, the government was automatically dismissed on December 21, 2015. However, it continued to work in a temporary role until a new government was officially formed.

How the Government Was Formed

After the 2011 general election, Mariano Rajoy needed enough votes from the Congress of Deputies (Spain's main parliament) to become Prime Minister. On December 20, 2011, he received the support he needed. Most of the votes came from his own party, the PP, which had won the most seats. Other parties voted against him or chose not to vote at all.

Changes in the Cabinet

During its time in power, Rajoy's first government saw a few changes in its ministers. Ministers are like heads of different departments, such as health or education.

Ministers Who Left or Changed Roles

• On April 28, 2014, Miguel Arias Cañete stepped down as the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Affairs. He left to run as a candidate in the European Parliament election. Isabel García Tejerina took his place.
• On November 26, 2014, Ana Mato resigned as the Minister of Health, Social Services, and Equality. She resigned because of a legal investigation that involved her family. Alfonso Alonso became the new minister on December 3, 2014.
• On June 26, 2015, José Ignacio Wert was replaced by Íñigo Méndez de Vigo as the Minister of Education, Culture, and Sports. Wert had decided to retire from politics.

Ministers in a Temporary Role

From December 21, 2015, after the 2015 general election, Rajoy's government continued to serve in a temporary role. This happened because it took a long time for a new government to be formed. During this period, some ministers left their positions. Since the government was only temporary, Rajoy could not appoint new ministers. Instead, other cabinet members took over their duties.

• On April 15, 2016, José Manuel Soria had to leave his role as the temporary Minister of Industry, Energy, and Tourism. This was due to information that came out about his family's financial dealings in other countries. Luis de Guindos, who was the temporary Minister of Economy, took over Soria's duties.
• On July 19, 2016, Ana Pastor was chosen to be the President of the Congress of Deputies. This new role meant she could no longer be the temporary Minister of Development. Rafael Catalá, the temporary Minister of Justice, took on her responsibilities.
• On August 16, 2016, Alfonso Alonso left his temporary position as Minister of Health, Social Services, and Equality. He did this to run for a political leadership role in the Basque region. Fátima Báñez, the temporary Minister of Employment and Social Security, took over his duties.

Ministers in the Government

The government, also known as the Council of Ministers, was made up of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, and 13 other ministers. One of these ministers also served as the government's spokesperson.

Images for kids

• 

  Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain.

• 

  Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, Deputy Prime Minister.

• 

  José Manuel García-Margallo, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

• 

  Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, Minister of Justice.

• 

  Pedro Morenés, Minister of Defence.

• 

  Cristóbal Montoro, Minister of Finance.

• 

  Jorge Fernández Díaz, Minister of the Interior.

• 

  Ana Pastor, Minister of Development.

• 

  José Ignacio Wert, Minister of Education.

• 

  Fátima Báñez, Minister of Employment and Social Security.

• 

  José Manuel Soria, Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism.

• 

  Miguel Arias Cañete, Minister of Agriculture.

• 

  Luis de Guindos, Minister of Economy and Competitiveness.

• 

  Ana Mato, Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality.

• 

  Rafael Catalá, who served as Minister of Justice.

• 

  Isabel García Tejerina, who became Minister of Agriculture.

• 

  Alfonso Alonso, who became Minister of Health.

• 

  Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, who became Minister of Education.

See also

In Spanish: Primer Gobierno Rajoy para niños