Mariano Rajoy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mariano Rajoy
Rajoy in 2018
Prime Minister of Spain
In office 21 December 2011 – 1 June 2018
Monarch	Juan Carlos I Felipe VI
Deputy	Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría
Preceded by	José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Succeeded by	Pedro Sánchez
President of the People's Party
In office 2 October 2004 – 21 July 2018
Deputy	Ángel Acebes María Dolores de Cospedal
Preceded by	José María Aznar
Succeeded by	Pablo Casado
Leader of the Opposition
In office 17 April 2004 – 21 December 2011
Monarch	Juan Carlos I
Prime Minister	José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Preceded by	José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Succeeded by	Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba
Secretary General of the People's Party
In office 4 September 2003 – 2 October 2004
President	José María Aznar
Preceded by	Javier Arenas
Succeeded by	Ángel Acebes
First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain
In office 28 April 2000 – 4 September 2003
Prime Minister	José María Aznar
Preceded by	Francisco Álvarez Cascos
Succeeded by	Rodrigo Rato
Spokesperson of the Government
In office 10 July 2002 – 4 September 2003
Prime Minister	José María Aznar
Preceded by	Pío Cabanillas Gallas
Succeeded by	Eduardo Zaplana
Minister of the Presidency
In office 10 July 2002 – 4 September 2003
Prime Minister	José María Aznar
Preceded by	Juan José Lucas
Succeeded by	Javier Arenas
In office 28 April 2000 – 28 February 2001
Prime Minister	José María Aznar
Preceded by	Francisco Álvarez Cascos
Succeeded by	Juan José Lucas
Minister of the Interior
In office 28 February 2001 – 10 July 2002
Prime Minister	José María Aznar
Preceded by	Jaime Mayor Oreja
Succeeded by	Ángel Acebes
Minister of Education and Culture
In office 19 January 1999 – 28 April 2000
Prime Minister	José María Aznar
Preceded by	Esperanza Aguirre
Succeeded by	Pilar del Castillo (Education, Culture and Sport)
Minister of Public Administrations
In office 6 May 1996 – 19 January 1999
Prime Minister	José María Aznar
Preceded by	Joan Lerma
Succeeded by	Ángel Acebes
Vice President of Galicia
In office 4 November 1986 – 26 September 1987
President	Gerardo Fernández Albor
Preceded by	José Luis Barreiro [es]
Succeeded by	José Luis Barreiro
Member of the Congress of Deputies
In office 20 November 1989 – 15 June 2018
Constituency	Madrid (2004-2018) Pontevedra (1989-2004)
In office 7 July 1986 – 4 December 1986
Constituency	Pontevedra
President of the Deputation of Pontevedra
In office 11 June 1983 – 10 December 1986
Preceded by	Federico Cifuentes Pérez
Succeeded by	Fernando García del Valle
Personal details
Born	Mariano Rajoy Brey (1955-03-27) 27 March 1955 (age 70) Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
Political party	Spanish National Union (1970s) People's Alliance (Before 1989) People's Party (1989–present)
Spouse	Elvira Fernández Balboa ​ (m. 1996)​
Children	2
Parents	Mariano Rajoy Sobredo Olga Brey López
Alma mater	University of Santiago de Compostela
Signature

Mariano Rajoy Brey (born 27 March 1955) is a Spanish politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Spain from 2011 to 2018. He was removed from office by a vote of no confidence. After this, he announced his resignation as the leader of the People's Party.

Rajoy became the leader of the People's Party in 2004. He became prime minister in 2011 after his party won the general election. This made him the sixth head of the Spanish Government since Spain became a democracy again.

His first time as prime minister was during a big financial crisis in Spain. He worked to fix the country's financial system and changed labor laws. Spain's banking system even needed a special rescue in 2012.

Unemployment in Spain reached 27% in 2012. This caused the People's Party to lose support. Also, some issues about party funding and behavior damaged the party's image. New political parties like Podemos and Citizens started to become popular.

The 2015 general election made it hard to form a government. Spain was without a government for over six months. So, another election was held in June 2016. Rajoy was re-elected prime minister with support from the Citizens party.

His second term saw the economy improve and unemployment go down. However, salaries did not grow much. Rajoy also dealt with the 2017–18 Spanish constitutional crisis related to Catalonia. This included the Catalan independence referendum in 2017.

Mariano Rajoy was a Spanish politician for a long time. He held ministerial jobs continuously from 1996 to 2004 and from 2011 to 2018. This was a total of 14 years and 146 days.

Early Life and Education

Mariano Rajoy was born on March 27, 1955. His birthplace was Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, Spain. His grandfather, Enrique Rajoy Leloup, helped create the Galician Statute of Autonomy in 1936.

His father, Mariano Rajoy Sobredo, was a judge. He grew up in Pontevedra, where his father was president of the Provincial Court. Later, his family moved to León, where he spent ten years.

He then went to a Jesuit school in Vigo. After finishing high school, he studied Law at the University of Santiago de Compostela.

Rajoy became a property registrar after passing a special exam. He was the youngest person to achieve this. He worked in Padrón, Villafranca del Bierzo, and Santa Pola. He still holds this position.

In 1996, Rajoy married Elvira "Viri" Fernández Balboa. They have two children together. In 2011, he published his autobiography, En Confianza (In Confidence).

Political Journey

Starting in Politics

Rajoy first joined the Spanish National Union party. Later, he joined the People's Alliance (AP). In 1981, he became a deputy in the first Galician Parliament.

In 1982, he was named Minister of Institutional Relations for the Xunta de Galicia. From 1983 to 1986, he was President of the Provincial Deputation of Pontevedra.

In 1986, he won a seat in the Congress of Deputies. He later resigned to become vice-president of the Xunta of Galicia. In 1989, the AP merged with other parties to form the People's Party (PP). Rajoy became a key member of this new party.

Serving as a Minister (1996–2003)

In 1996, the PP won the elections. Rajoy became the Minister of Public Administration. He helped create new laws about how the government works.

In 1999, he became the Minister of Education and Culture. He was also re-elected as the vice-secretary general of the PP.

In 2000, he led the People's Party election campaign. They won a large majority. Rajoy was then appointed Senior Vice President of Government and Minister of the Presidency.

In 2001, he became the Minister of the Interior. He worked on laws about the right to form associations and the rights of foreigners.

In 2002, he became the Minister of the Presidency again. He also became the government's spokesperson. During this time, he dealt with the Prestige oil tanker disaster. He also handled Spain's involvement in the Iraq War.

In 2003, José María Aznar chose Rajoy to be the next leader of the PP. Rajoy then left his government roles.

Leading the People's Party

On August 30, 2003, Aznar announced he would retire. He suggested Rajoy as his replacement. Rajoy was elected Secretary General of the party. He led the party into the 2004 elections.

However, the PP lost the election to the PSOE. This happened after the Madrid train bombings and how the crisis was handled. But Rajoy was not blamed for the loss. He was elected party president in October 2004.

As Leader of the Opposition (2004–2011)

2004 Election

Mariano Rajoy during a party meeting in Bilbao, 2005

On March 11, 2004, just before the elections, Madrid suffered terrorist attacks. The government first blamed a Basque group called ETA. Rajoy also said he believed ETA was responsible.

However, news later broke that Al-Qaida was responsible. On March 14, 2004, the PSOE party won the elections. Rajoy was elected as a deputy for Madrid.

Rajoy with Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel in March 2007

On December 1, 2005, Rajoy was in a helicopter accident. He broke a finger but survived.

He often criticized the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. He felt they changed important plans and gave too much power to local regions. He also worried about the government's approach to the peace process with ETA.

Rajoy at the EPP convention on climate change in February 2008

2008 Election

Rajoy faced challenges within his party before the March 2008 general election. Some wanted Madrid's Mayor, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, to be on the party lists. Gallardón was seen as more moderate. Rajoy decided not to include him, which worried some voters.

On January 30, 2008, Rajoy received support from leaders like Angela Merkel of Germany. The PP lost the general election, but they gained votes and seats. Rajoy continued to lead his party in opposition.

2011 Election

The 2011 general election focused on the economy. Spain had high unemployment, with almost 5 million people out of work. Many families had no one earning a salary.

Rajoy called Spain's unemployment rate "unbearable." He said the Socialists did not manage the economy well. He promised to help Spain recover from its crisis. He also wanted to reduce the government's borrowing costs.

The PP's campaign slogan was "Join the change!" Their plan included tax breaks for businesses that hired staff. They also wanted to make labor contracts more flexible. At the same time, they promised to protect public healthcare and education.

Anti-TTIP protests in Barcelona, 18 April 2015

As Prime Minister (2011–2018)

First Term (2011–2015)

Prime Minister Rajoy meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

In November 2011, Rajoy's People's Party won a large majority. They secured 186 out of 350 seats in parliament. Voters hoped he could help with Europe's debt crisis. Rajoy was elected Prime Minister on December 20, 2011.

Taking Office

Rajoy spoke to the Congress of Deputies on December 19, 2011. He said his government would need to save €16.5 billion. He planned to freeze public worker salaries and reduce the workweek. He also wanted to stop hiring new public employees, except for security, health, and education.

He also wanted to change public holidays. This would prevent long four-day weekends by moving holidays to the nearest Monday. He also wanted to end early retirement.

Parliament chose Rajoy two days later with 187 votes in favor. He was sworn in as Prime Minister by King Juan Carlos I.

First Actions

Rajoy's government was formed on December 21, 2011. It had thirteen ministers, the fewest in Spanish democratic history. Some ministries were combined or ended. For example, the Ministries of Culture and Science were ended.

Spending Cuts

Rajoy in the 2015 PP Congress

On December 30, 2011, the government approved a plan to cut spending. This plan aimed to save €8.9 billion and raise €6.2 billion in new income. Public worker salaries were frozen, and the minimum wage was also frozen.

The income tax and tax on real estate were increased for 2012 and 2013. However, pensions were increased by 1%. Tax deductions for buying homes were also brought back.

2015 Election and Challenges

The 2015 general election was held on December 20. The People's Party got the most votes but lost many seats. They no longer had a majority. This led to a difficult political situation.

Neither Rajoy nor the other parties could form a coalition government. This meant Spain had to hold another election in 2016.

Rajoy during a ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 2017

Second Term (2016–2018)

2016 Election

In the general election on June 26, 2016, the PP gained more seats. But they still did not have a full majority. On October 29, Rajoy was re-appointed prime minister. This happened because most members of the PSOE party chose not to vote against him.

In February 2016, Rajoy was declared 'persona non grata' in Pontevedra. This was because his government extended a factory's operating license.

2017 Events

On July 26, Rajoy appeared as a witness in a case about party funding. This led to a no-confidence motion against his government. The motion was debated on June 13 and was defeated on June 14.

Rajoy, Spanish King Felipe and Catalan President Carles Puigdemont attended the Barcelona rally in response to terror attacks in August 2017

Catalan Independence Referendum

Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, addresses to the crowd following the unilateral declaration of independence on 27 October

Rajoy announcing the effects of the direct rule and the call for regional elections for December 21.

On October 1, 2017, an unofficial referendum took place in Catalonia. Police tried to stop the voting, leading to some conflict. Many governments around the world did not accept the vote as legal. Rajoy faced criticism for his handling of the situation.

Rajoy oversaw the 2017-18 Spanish constitutional crisis. This crisis was caused by the referendum and Catalonia's attempt to declare independence. This led to Spain taking direct control over Catalonia on October 27, 2017.

2018 No Confidence Motion

A court ruling on a party funding matter affected the People's Party. The ruling stated that the party had benefited financially from certain activities. It also mentioned that the PP had a "parallel financial structure" since 1989.

Rajoy congratulates Sánchez on his successful no-confidence motion.

Following this court ruling, Pedro Sánchez, the leader of the PSOE, called for a motion of no confidence against Rajoy. The vote was held on Friday, June 1. Rajoy lost this motion with 180 votes in favor. He was then replaced as Prime Minister by Sánchez.

On June 5, 2018, Rajoy announced he would resign as President of the People's Party. He also resigned his seat as a Deputy on June 15, after thirty years.

After Politics

On June 20, 2018, Rajoy returned to his job as a property registrar in Santa Pola. He had been away from this job for 29 years.

In February 2019, he was called as a witness in a court case about Catalonia's independence leaders. In March 2021, he was asked to explain the "B fund" that the PP reportedly had. This fund was said to be used for anonymous donations and extra payments to party officials.

Political Views

Rajoy visiting Andorra in 2015

Social Issues

Immigration

Rajoy supported allowing migrants into Spain. He said Spain would help those seeking asylum. In 2015, he criticized Hungary for trying to stop migration.

However, Rajoy's government also faced criticism for some anti-immigration actions. These included reducing funds for immigration groups. They also strengthened the fence in Melilla, which led to some controversial practices.

Bullfighting

Rajoy is a strong supporter of bullfighting. He believes it is an important art form in Spanish history. His government brought back live bullfights on state television. They are now shown again in their traditional time slot.

History

During the 2015 election, Rajoy said the PP was the only party defending Spain's unity. He promised to create a National Museum of Spanish History. This museum would aim to "defend the unity of Spain." He announced this at the site of the Battle of Covadonga. This battle is seen as the start of the "reconquest" of Spain by Christian rulers.

Foreign Policy

Rajoy at the G20 summit in Hamburg, 7–8 July 2017

Gibraltar

Rajoy wants Gibraltar, which is controlled by Britain, to be returned to Spain. He called Gibraltar "the last colony in Europe."

Scottish Independence

Scotland held a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom in 2014. In 2013, Rajoy stated that an independent Scotland would have to reapply to join the European Union. This caused some disagreement with the Scottish Government.

Anti-Egalitarianism

Early in his political life, Rajoy expressed views against equality. In 1983, he wrote that "all policies seeking to achieve equality were a fallacy." He also wrote that "social equality isn't possible." He believed that nature makes all humans unequal.

Awards

• Gold Medal of the Spanish Council of the Professional Cycling (2001).
• Honorary Doctorate in Law by the Sergio Arboleda University in Bogotá, Colombia (2012).

Honours

National Honours

•  Spain Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (2003).
•  Spain Knight of the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (2018).

Foreign Honours

•  Mexico: Sash of Special Category of the Order of the Aztec Eagle (2012).
•  Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru (2013).
•  Chile: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Chile.
•  Serbia: Order of the Republic of Serbia (2013).
•  Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (2018).

Negative Distinctions

• Heart of Stone Award (2015).
• Persona non grata in Pontevedra (2016).

Genealogy

See also

In Spanish: Mariano Rajoy para niños