Joan Lerma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joan Lerma
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| President of the Valencian Government | |
| In office 12 August 1982 – 3 July 1995 |
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| Monarch | Juan Carlos I |
| Preceded by | Enrique Monsonís |
| Succeeded by | Eduardo Zaplana |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 July 1951 Valencia, Spain |
| Political party | PSOE |
| Alma mater | University of Valencia |
| Signature |  |
Joan Lerma Blasco (born 15 July 1951) is a Spanish politician. He was born in Valencia, Spain. He belongs to the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).
Joan Lerma was the first person to be democratically elected as President of the Valencian Government. This happened after Spain became a democracy again in the 1970s.
Contents
Early Life and Political Start
Joan Lerma studied at the University of Valencia. In 1976, he earned a degree in Economic and Business Science.
He joined the Young Socialists group in 1973. In 1974, he became part of the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT). This is a big group that helps workers. It has always been connected to the PSOE political party. In 1975, he officially joined the PSOE. At that time, the party was not allowed under the government of Francoist Spain.
From April 1978 to June 1979, he worked as the employment minister for the Valencian Community. In July 1978, the Socialist Party of the Valencian Country (PSPV) joined with the PSOE. Lerma was chosen to help connect these two groups. A year later, he became the main leader of the combined PSPV-PSOE. This is the PSOE's branch in the Valencian Community.
In 1979, he led the PSPV-PSOE list for the 1979 Spanish general election. He was elected to the Spanish Congress of Deputies. He represented the Valencia Province. He was elected again in the 1982 Spanish general election.
Becoming President of the Valencian Community
On 26 November 1982, Joan Lerma became President of the Valencian Community. This happened after the previous President, Enrique Monsonís, stepped down. This was the last time a President was chosen this way. After this, future Presidents would be chosen by the Corts Valencianes. This is the regional parliament of Valencia.
In 1983, the PSOE won the first elections for the Corts Valencianes. They won with a clear majority. The parliament then chose Lerma as the first elected President of the Valencian Community. This was a big step for democracy in the region.
First Term as President
When he started his first term, Lerma announced his main goals. These included making government work better, helping the economy grow, and improving health and education.
One difficult issue during his time was about the 'Altos Hornos del Mediterraneo' steelworks. There were plans to let go of many workers there. This led to strikes by local worker groups.
Later Political Career
The PSOE won the next elections in the Valencian Community in 1987 and 1991. Joan Lerma was re-elected President both times. However, in the 1995 election, his party lost to the Partido Popular.
Lerma felt that his defeat was partly due to decisions made by the national government. He mentioned delays in building highways in Valencia. He also felt the national government did not support Valencia enough in arguments with the nearby region of Castile-La Mancha. These arguments were about a plan for water resources.
After losing the election, Lerma left the Valencian Parliament. He had said he would only take a job in the national government if it was an emergency. But he was then appointed Minister for Public Administration by the Prime Minister, Felipe Gonzalez.
Serving as a Senator
In 1996, Lerma returned to the Spanish government. He was elected to the Spanish Senate. He has continued to serve as a Senator. From 2004 to 2008, he was the main spokesperson for the PSOE party in the Senate.
See also
In Spanish: Joan Lerma para niños
