National
Spanish Defence Minister gives birth to her first child
By h.b.
May 19, 2008 - 9:19 PM

The Spanish Minister for Defence, Carma Chacón has given birth in Barcelona to her first son, Miquel.

She was admitted to the public Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, her own birthplace, at noon after a routine check up, and gave birth to the 2.8 kilo boy at 1740 this afternoon. The hospital has not revealed whether it was a natural or caesarean birth, but both mother and baby are doing well.

Given the circumstances, the Ministry of Defence has requested a postponement to the Minister’s appearance before the Defence Commission which was planned for tomorrow.

Carme Chacón is the first woman to head the Spanish Ministry for Defence, and accepted the post when seven months pregnant. She has already travelled to visit the Spanish troops in Afghanistan, Lebanon and Bosnia.

While Chacón is on maternity leave, her responsibilities will be covered by the Minister for the Interior, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, and her Secretary of State, Constatino Méndez. The Minister is to take six weeks leave.