Josep Borrell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josep Borrell
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Official portrait, 2020
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| Vice-President of the European Commission | |
| In office 1 December 2019 – 30 November 2024 |
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| President | Ursula von der Leyen |
| Preceded by | Federica Mogherini |
| Succeeded by | Kaja Kallas |
| High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy | |
| In office 1 December 2019 – 30 November 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Federica Mogherini |
| Succeeded by | Kaja Kallas |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation | |
| In office 7 June 2018 – 30 November 2019 |
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| Prime Minister | Pedro Sánchez |
| Preceded by | Alfonso Dastis (Foreign Affairs and Cooperation) |
| Succeeded by | Margarita Robles (acting) |
| President of the European Parliament | |
| In office 20 July 2004 – 16 January 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Pat Cox |
| Succeeded by | Hans-Gert Pöttering |
| Minister of Public Works and Environment | |
| In office 12 March 1991 – 6 May 1996 |
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| Prime Minister | Felipe González |
| Preceded by | Javier Sáenz de Cosculluela |
| Succeeded by | Rafael Arias-Salgado |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 26 May 1998 – 14 May 1999 |
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| Prime Minister | José María Aznar |
| Preceded by | Joaquín Almunia |
| Succeeded by | Joaquín Almunia |
| Member of the European Parliament for Spain |
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| In office 13 June 2004 – 7 June 2009 |
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| Member of the Congress of Deputies | |
| In office 15 July 1986 – 2 April 2004 |
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| Constituency | Barcelona |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Josep Borrell Fontelles
24 April 1947 La Pobla de Segur, Spain |
| Citizenship |
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| Political party | Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (since 1975) |
| Other political affiliations |
Party of European Socialists |
| Spouses | Carolina Mayeur (div.) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Technical University of Madrid (BS) Complutense University (PhD) Stanford University (MS) French Institute of Petroleum (Postgraduate) |
Josep Borrell Fontelles (born 24 April 1947) is a Spanish politician. He served as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission from 2019 to 2024. He is a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).
Before his European roles, he was the President of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2007. He also served as Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation from 2018 to 2019.
Borrell grew up in a small village in Spain. He studied engineering and economics and also taught mathematics. He started his political journey in the 1970s. He held several important jobs in the Spanish government. Later, he moved into European politics.
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Early Life and Education
Josep Borrell was born on 24 April 1947. His hometown is La Pobla de Segur, a village in Spain. His father owned a small bakery there. His grandparents had lived in Argentina before returning to Spain.
Josep was homeschooled for primary education. He later earned scholarships to continue his studies. In 1964, he began studying industrial engineering in Barcelona. He then switched to aeronautical engineering in Madrid, finishing in 1969.
He also earned a degree and a PhD in economics. He studied at the Complutense University of Madrid. Borrell also has a master's degree from Stanford University in the US. He completed postgraduate studies in energy economics in Paris, France.
From 1972 to 1982, he taught mathematics at a university in Madrid. He also worked for a company called Cepsa. He balanced his teaching and work with local politics.
Beginning His Political Journey
Josep Borrell joined the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in 1975. This was during Spain's move towards democracy. He became a city councilor in Majadahonda in 1979. He also worked in the financial department of the Madrid provincial government.
Working in the Spanish Government
In 1982, his party won the general election. Felipe González became Prime Minister. Borrell was given important roles in the Ministry of Economy and Finance. He was General Secretary for the Budget from 1982 to 1984. Then he became Secretary of State for Finance from 1984 to 1991.
During this time, Spain joined the European Economic Community in 1986. Borrell was known for fighting against tax fraud. He was first elected to the Congress of Deputies in 1986. He represented Barcelona until 2004.
In 1991, he became a minister. He was the Minister of Public Works and Transport.
He helped with changes in telecommunications in Spain. He left office in 1996 when a new party came to power.
Brief Time as Opposition Leader
In 1998, Borrell ran for a new role. He wanted to be the PSOE's candidate for Prime Minister. He ran against the party leader, Joaquín Almunia. Borrell won the vote, which was a surprise.
He became the Leader of the Opposition. However, he resigned in 1999. This was due to an investigation involving two officials he had appointed earlier. He did not want the issue to harm his party.
Working in European Politics
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In 1999, Borrell became the head of a committee for the European Union. He was also a representative for the Spanish parliament. This was for the group that wrote the European Constitution. He received an award for his work on this in 2011.
In 2004, he led his party in the European elections. His party won many seats. He then became a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
President of the European Parliament
In July 2004, Josep Borrell was elected President of the European Parliament. He was the third Spaniard to hold this important job. He received many votes from other MEPs.
He was the first newly elected MEP to become president since 1979. He served for the first half of the five-year term. Later, a German politician, Hans-Gert Pöttering, took over the role.
After being president, Borrell led a committee on development. He left the European Parliament in 2009.
Returning to Spanish Politics
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From 2010 to 2012, Borrell was president of the European University Institute. He later resigned due to a financial issue with a company. He had been a board member for the company.
Borrell also taught at universities. He was a strong opponent of the Catalan independence movement. He wrote an essay in 2015 that challenged the economic arguments for independence. He also spoke at large rallies in Barcelona. He emphasized the importance of Spain's unity and the European Union.
Foreign Minister of Spain (2018–2019)
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In June 2018, Pedro Sánchez became the new Prime Minister of Spain. Sánchez chose Borrell to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. Borrell took office on 7 June.
As Foreign Minister, Borrell worked on Spain's international relations. He met with the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. They discussed trade and migration policies.
Borrell also worked on negotiations with the United Kingdom about Gibraltar. This was part of the Brexit process. He focused on improving life for people in the area near Gibraltar. He signed agreements with the UK in November 2018.
In May 2019, he ran for the European Parliament election again. He was first on his party's list and was elected. However, he gave up his seat shortly after. He wanted to remain as Foreign Minister during a time of political uncertainty in Spain.
He left his role as Foreign Minister on 29 November 2019.
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
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In July 2019, Josep Borrell was chosen to be the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This is a very important role in the European Union. It involves leading the EU's foreign policy. He officially took office in December 2019.
He also gained Argentine citizenship in 2019. He did this to honor his father's memory.
Key Actions and Statements (2020-2024)
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In 2020, Borrell spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that some countries were using aid to gain influence. He also said that proposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank would be a problem. He supported a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East.
He condemned the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Air Force. He also addressed concerns about misinformation during the pandemic.
In August 2020, he showed support for Greece and Cyprus in a dispute with Turkey. He called for peaceful talks. He also urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to stop fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh.
In 2021, Borrell expressed concerns about how China treats minorities. He also visited Russia. This visit was seen as difficult by some. He called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
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He received some criticism for sending a representative to an event in Iran. He also compared the migrant situation at the Belarus–Poland border to the Morocco–Spain border. Borrell visited Saudi Arabia to discuss human rights and conflicts. He noted improved relations between the EU and Turkey.
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In 2022, Borrell condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine. He welcomed a UN report on human rights in China. He made a comment about Europe being a "garden" and the rest of the world a "jungle." This comment caused some controversy.
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In 2023, he discussed normalizing relations with Ethiopia. He condemned a military operation by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. He also condemned the attack by Hamas on Israel. He stated that Israel's actions in Gaza were breaking international law.
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In 2024, Borrell condemned Iranian strikes on Israel. He also called for Israel to stop its actions in Rafah. He said these actions were causing a humanitarian crisis.
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Personal Life
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Josep Borrell was first married to Carolina Mayeur. They had two sons, Joan and Lionel. They later divorced.
Since 1998, he has been with Cristina Narbona. She is also a Spanish politician. They got married in July 2018.
Borrell speaks Spanish, Catalan, Italian, French, and English. He enjoys taking part in a traditional festival in his hometown. It involves floating down the Noguera Pallaresa river like old-time log drivers.
Honours and Awards
Borrell has received several awards for his public service. These include:
- 1996: Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (Spain)
- 2000: Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain)
- 2007: Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (Spain)
- 2011: Medal of the Order of Constitutional Merit (Spain)
- 2015: Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)
- 2022: Third Class of the Order of Merit (Ukraine)
Images for kids
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Borrell speaks to the European Parliament in 2022.
See also
In Spanish: Josep Borrell para niños
