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 was born on July 15, 1951, in Valencia, Spain. He is a Spanish politician who was a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). He became the very first leader of the Valencian Government to be chosen by the people after Spain became a democracy again in the 1970s.
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Early Life and Political Start
Joan Lerma studied Economic and Business Science at the University of Valencia. He earned his degree in 1976. In 1973, he joined the Young Socialists group. This was a way for him to get involved in politics.
In 1974, he became a member of the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT). This is a big workers' union that has always been connected to the PSOE party. He then joined the PSOE party itself in 1975. At that time, the party was still not allowed under the government of Francisco Franco.
He worked as the employment minister for the Valencian Community. This was from April 1978 to June 1979. 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.
He led the PSPV-PSOE in the 1979 General Election. He was chosen to represent Valencia Province in the Spanish Congress of Deputies. He was elected again in the next election in 1982.
Becoming President of Valencia
On November 26, 1982, Joan Lerma was named President of the Valencian Community. This happened after the previous president, Enrique Monsonís, stepped down. This was the last time a president was simply appointed. After this, future presidents would be chosen by the Corts Valencianes. This is the Valencian regional parliament.
In 1983, the PSOE party won the first elections for the Corts Valencianes. This was after Franco's death. They won with a clear majority of votes. 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
Lerma announced his main goals for his first time as president. These included making government work better. He also wanted to help the economy grow and improve health and education. One difficult issue was about jobs at the 'Altos Hornos del Mediterraneo' steel factory. Many workers were going to lose their jobs. This led to strikes by local worker unions.
Later Political Career
The PSOE party won the elections in the Valencian Community again in 1987 and 1991. Joan Lerma was re-elected as President of the Valencian Community both times. However, the party lost the 1995 election to the Partido Popular.
Lerma believed his defeat was 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 disagreements with the nearby region of Castile-La Mancha. These disagreements 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 appointed Minister for Public Administration by Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.
Serving as a Senator
Lerma returned to the Spanish Congress in 1996. He was elected to the Spanish Senate. He was still holding this position as of August 2019. He also served as the PSOE's main speaker in the Senate from 2004 to 2008.
See also
In Spanish: Joan Lerma para niños
