María Teresa Fernández de la Vega facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
María Teresa Fernández de la Vega
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| 72nd President of the Council of State | |
| In office 3 July 2018 – 19 October 2022 |
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| Preceded by | José Manuel Romay Beccaría |
| Succeeded by | Magdalena Valerio |
| First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain | |
| In office 18 April 2004 – 21 October 2010 |
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| Monarch | Juan Carlos I |
| Prime Minister | José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero |
| Preceded by | Rodrigo Rato |
| Succeeded by | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba |
| Minister of the Presidency | |
| In office 18 April 2004 – 21 October 2010 |
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| Prime Minister | José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero |
| Preceded by | Javier Arenas |
| Succeeded by | Ramón Jáuregui |
| Member of the Congress of Deputies | |
| In office 9 March 2008 – 21 October 2010 |
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| Constituency | Valencia |
| In office 14 March 2004 – 9 March 2008 |
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| Constituency | Madrid |
| In office 12 March 2000 – 14 March 2004 |
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| Constituency | Segovia |
| In office March 1996 – March 2000 |
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| Constituency | Jaen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
María Teresa Fernández de la Vega Sanz
15 June 1949 Valencia, Spain |
| Political party | PSOE |
| Other political affiliations |
PSUC |
| Alma mater | Complutense University of Madrid |
| Profession | Jurist |
María Teresa Fernández de la Vega Sanz, born on June 15, 1949, is a Spanish politician and a legal expert. She is a member of the Socialist Party. She made history by becoming the first female Deputy Prime Minister of Spain. She also served as the first female president of the Council of State, which is a very important advisory group for the Spanish government.
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Early Life and Education
María Teresa Fernández de la Vega was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1949. Her father, Wenceslao Fernández de la Vega Lombán, worked for the government during a time known as Franco's dictatorship. María Teresa studied law at the Complutense University of Madrid in the early 1970s. In 1974, she joined a special group of civil servants who work in legal services. This was the start of her career in public service.
Starting Her Political Journey
María Teresa began her political journey with the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia. She was a member of this party until 1979. From 1982 to 1985, she advised the Minister of Justice. Later, she became the general director of services at the Ministry of Justice. In 1986, she joined a committee that works on legal cooperation for the Council of Europe. She also served as a spokesperson for the General Council of Judicial Power.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
María Teresa was elected to the Spanish Congress (like the House of Representatives in other countries) for the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. She represented different areas, including Jaén and Segovia. She was re-elected several times, showing her dedication to public service. During this time, she became a key leader for the Socialist group in parliament.
Becoming a Top Leader in Government
In the Spanish general election of 2004, María Teresa was elected to parliament for Madrid. On April 18, 2004, she was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidency. She also served as the government's spokesperson.
Making History as Deputy Prime Minister
María Teresa Fernández de la Vega was the first woman ever to act as Prime Minister in Spain's democratic history. This happened on April 24, 2004, when the Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, was on his first official trip abroad. She led the Council of Ministers during his absence.
In March 2006, she went on a trip to Africa, visiting Kenya and Mozambique. In Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, she celebrated International Women's Day. She also took part in a forum called "Spain-Africa: Women for a better world," focusing on women's roles globally. She continued in her top government roles until October 2010.
Leading the Council of State
After leaving her roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister, María Teresa took on another important position. On July 3, 2018, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez chose her to lead the Council of State. This council is the highest advisory body for the Spanish government, giving advice on laws and important decisions. She started this role on July 5, 2018, becoming the first woman to lead this historic council. She served in this role until October 2022.
Other Important Work
Besides her political roles, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega has been involved in other activities:
- She is a member of "Judges for Democracy" (Jueces para la Democracia), a group of legal professionals.
- She is also part of the Advisory Board for the Graduate School for Global and International Studies at the University of Salamanca.
She has also written several papers on legal topics, including "The reform of labor jurisdiction" and "Human rights and the Council of Europe."
Awards and Honors
María Teresa Fernández de la Vega has received several important awards for her work:
- On October 7, 2006, she received the Tomás y Valiente Award in Fuenlabrada, Madrid.
- On November 6, 2010, she was given the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III, a high honor in Spain.
See Also
In Spanish: María Teresa Fernández de la Vega para niños
- Council of Ministers of Spain (8th Legislature)
