National
The new Spanish cabinet makes its promises before the King
By h.b.
Apr 14, 2008 - 1:40 PM

The new Zapatero Government has been sworn into their positions this morning before King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia and now the 17 Ministers, nine women and eight men, will get down to work at the start of this second Socialist legislature led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

The team opted to promise their loyalty, before copies of both the Spanish Constitution and the Bible. They gave solemn faith to fulfil their obligations, with loyalty to the King, and to keep as save the Constitution as a fundamental basis of the State, as well as to keep the confidentiality in the deliberations of the Cabinet.

Much has been commented that Zapatero has relied so heavily on women in his new team, and especially on Carme Chacón, the first woman to assume the responsibilities of Minister for Defence despite not coming from a military background, and at a time when Spain’s military involvement in Afghanistan is being questioned by many.

Another centre of attention for the media today is Bibiana Aído, the 31 year old minister for Equality, who becomes the youngest Minister ever in the recent democratic history of the country.