Second Deputy Prime Minister of Spain facts for kids

The Second Deputy Prime Minister of Spain is an important role in the Government of Spain. This job is not always active. It exists only when the Prime Minister decides it's needed.

The person currently holding this position is Yolanda Díaz. She is also the Minister of Labour and Social Economy.

Quick facts for kids Second Deputy Prime Minister of Spain
Coat of arms of Spain
Incumbent Yolanda Díaz since 12 July 2021
Government of Spain Council of Ministers
Style	Excelentísimo/a Señor/a
Member of	Cabinet
Residence	Palacio de la Moncloa
Seat	Madrid, Spain
Nominator	Prime Minister
Appointer	Monarch Countersigned by the Prime Minister of Spain
Term length	No fixed term No term limits are imposed on the office.
Constituting instrument	Organic Act of the State of 1967 (original) Constitution of 1978 (current)
Formation	3 January 1974 (51 years ago) (1974-01-03)
First holder	Antonio Barrera de Irimo

History of the Role

How the Position Started

The job of Second Deputy Prime Minister was created in 1967. A law called the Organic Act of the State made it possible. This law allowed for a group of top government officials, called the Council of Ministers, to include one or more Deputy Prime Ministers.

However, the first Second Deputy Prime Minister was not appointed until 1974. This happened after the leader Francisco Franco separated the roles of head of government (Prime Minister) and head of state. Prime Minister Arias Navarro chose Antonio Barrera de Irimo, who was the Minister of Finance, for this new role.

Changes Over Time

After Antonio Barrera de Irimo, other ministers were appointed as Second Deputy Prime Minister. Sometimes it was the Finance Minister, and other times it was the Minister of the Interior.

For example, Manuel Fraga, who was the Minister of the Interior, became Second Deputy Prime Minister in 1975. Later, Adolfo Suárez, another Prime Minister, also appointed his Interior Minister, Alfonso Osorio García, to the role.

Over the years, different Prime Ministers used this position in different ways. Some, like Felipe González, did not appoint a Second Deputy Prime Minister at all during their time in office. Others, like José María Aznar and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, often chose their Finance Minister for the role.

In 2011, the Minister of Territorial Policy and Civil Service, Manuel Chaves, was appointed. Then, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy did not have a Second Deputy Prime Minister.

Recent Appointments

The current Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, did not appoint a Second Deputy Prime Minister in his first government. But he did in his second term. In March 2021, Pablo Iglesias was the Second Deputy Prime Minister. After he resigned, the tradition of appointing a minister in charge of economic affairs was brought back.

In July 2021, Yolanda Díaz, who was the Minister of Labour and Social Economy, became the Second Deputy Prime Minister. She still holds this position today.

What Does the Second Deputy Prime Minister Do?

The Second Deputy Prime Minister does not have special powers that are written in the country's main law (the Constitution). Their main job is to be a member of the Council of Ministers.

The Government Act of 1997 explains their role. It says that the Second Deputy Prime Minister's main purpose is to step in for the Prime Minister if the Prime Minister cannot do their job. This might happen if the Prime Minister is away, sick, or if the position is empty. The Second Deputy Prime Minister only takes on this responsibility if the First Deputy Prime Minister is also unable to do the job.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Vicepresidente segundo del Gobierno de España para niños

• Deputy Prime Minister of Spain
• Third Deputy Prime Minister of Spain
• Fourth Deputy Prime Minister of Spain

Images for kids

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  Antonio Barrera de Irimo

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  Rafael Cabello de Alba

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  Manuel Fraga

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  Alfonso Osorio

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  Enrique Fuentes Quintana

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  Fernando Abril Martorell

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  Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo

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  Juan Antonio García Díez

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  Rodrigo Rato

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  Javier Arenas

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  Pedro Solbes

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  Elena Salgado

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  Manuel Chaves

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  Pablo Iglesias

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  Nadia Calviño

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  Yolanda Díaz