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José Montilla
José Montilla - 001.jpg
128th President of the Government of Catalonia
In office
28 November 2006 – 27 December 2010
Monarch Juan Carlos I
Vice President Josep-Lluís Carod-Rovira
Preceded by Pasqual Maragall
Succeeded by Artur Mas
Mayor of Cornellà de Llobregat
In office
1985 – 17 April 2004
Preceded by Frederic Prieto
Succeeded by Antonio Balmón i Arévalo
Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism
In office
17 April 2004 – 8 September 2006
President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Preceded by Juan Costa Climent
Succeeded by Joan Clos
Spanish Senator
for designation of the Parliament of Catalonia
In office
1 December 2011 – 8 May 2019
Personal details
Born (1955-01-15) 15 January 1955 (age 70)
Iznájar, Andalusia, Spain
Political party Socialists' Party of Catalonia
Spouse Anna Hernández
Children Three sons and two daughters
Occupation Politician
Signature

José Montilla Aguilera (born 15 January 1955) is a Spanish politician. He has held many important jobs in government. He was the 128th President of Catalonia, a region in Spain. He also served as a national minister and a mayor. Today, he is a member of the Spanish Senate. He is married and has five children.

Early Life and Education

José Montilla was born in Iznájar, Andalusia, Spain. When he was sixteen, he moved with his family. They settled in Sant Joan Despí, a town in Catalonia.

He started studying at a university. He studied Law for one year and Economics for two years. However, he stopped his university studies. This was because he was working and studying at the same time.

Starting in Local Politics

José Montilla joined the Socialists' Party of Catalonia in 1978. Two years later, he became part of the party's National Council. This council helps guide the party.

When he was 25, he became a Deputy Mayor in Sant Joan Despí. He was in charge of local taxes. From 1985 until 2004, he was the mayor of Cornellà de Llobregat. He was very popular and was re-elected many times.

He also worked for other local government groups. He was president of the District Council of Baix Llobregat. He also served on the Provincial Council of Barcelona. This council helps manage the province.

In 1994, he became the Secretary for Organization of his party. Then, in 2000, he became the First Secretary of the party. This is a very important leadership role.

Serving as a National Minister

In 2004, José Montilla became a minister in the Spanish government. He was the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism. This meant he worked for the whole country. He had to leave his local government jobs to do this.

He worked as a minister from April 2004 to September 2006. During this time, he also continued to lead his party in Catalonia.

Leading Catalonia: President of the Generalitat

In 2006, the previous President of Catalonia decided not to run again. José Montilla was chosen to be the new candidate for his party.

After the election, no party won enough votes alone. So, José Montilla's party formed a team with two other parties. This allowed them to form a new government.

On November 28, 2006, he officially became the President of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The Generalitat is the government of Catalonia. He was the first President of Catalonia in modern times who was not born in Catalonia.

In 2010, his party lost the election. José Montilla announced that he would not try to be the First Secretary of his party again. He also decided not to take his seat in the new parliament.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: José Montilla para niños

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