Zapatero sworn in as Spanish prime minister

[Quetzal]

Zapatero sworn in as Spanish prime minister

MADRID, April 17 (Reuters) - Socialist leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was sworn in as Spanish prime minister on Saturday by King Juan Carlos, completing a shakeup of Spanish politics in the wake of last month's train bombings.

The solemn ceremony at the Zarzuela palace near Madrid was also attended by Queen Sofia and outgoing Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

It was the last formal step to Zapatero taking office after he was approved by parliament on Friday, nearly five weeks after the Socialists' upset win in general elections. The poll was held three days after the March 11 attacks that killed 191 people.

"I promise on my conscience and honour to comply faithfully with the obligations of prime minister, to be loyal to the king and preserve the constitution as the basic rule of the state," Zapatero said.

more...

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L17440715.htm

Photos of the Event, courtesy of ElMundo



Zapatero



Left - Prime Minister Zapatero
Center - King Juan Carlos
Right - Fmr. Prime Minister Aznar

[Judi Lynn]

1. Interesting!

Sounds as if he intends to treat the job with a little more respect than do our right-wing looneytoons who try to pile all their emotional problems into government events:

He chose to take a non-religious oath of office -- promising with his hand on the Spanish constitution -- rather than to swear on the Bible.

Now THAT'S a little more dignified, and sober, isn't it?

[cliss]

2. The sands of the hourglass are running low....

as Karl Rove and others sit in the Boardroom. Sweat starts to build on their foreheads. His hand trembles slightly as it reaches for a glass of water. They discuss the hideous implications of the election in Spain. "They could start turning socialist, every one of them". Silence as they ponder what to do next.

Senor Zapatero has vowed to bring home his troops at the end of June. I'm sure he's been badgered, threatened and cajoled. It appears that he's going to stand by his promise.

I try not to make predictions, but this is one I feel fairly comfortable with: once Spain packs its bags and leaves, watch the others follow suit. They can use the UN as a convenient alibi.

Watch the coalition crumble.

[Dark]

7. Yea but

what about us? Bu$h is gonna keep us there even if we're the only ones left.

[Zynx]

3. How long has Juan Carlos been around?

He's been around forever it seems.

[NV1962]

4. King since November 22nd, 1975

Born on January 5th, 1938.

Site is here (that's the English version)

_____

Other than that: congrats and good luck, José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero!

[Zomby Woof]

5. November '75

He is the grandson of King Alfonso XIII of the Bourbon line. Alfonso was deposed in 1931 as Spain attempted a republican form of government. 5 years later, General Franco, dissatisfied with the socialist and liberal reforms of the fledgling Spanish Republic, staged a coup engineered from the Canary Islands. As we all know, he took full power upon the end of the Civil War in 1939.

In 1969 he appointed Juan Carlos as his successor. It was expected that following Franco's death, he would rule with absolute power and restore Spain to its pre-1931 monarchy.

So Juan Carlos did rule with absolute power the first 3 years, but angered conservatives and other Franco loyalists, and surprised everyone else, when he granted legal status to the Socialist and Communist parties in 1977, and set the ball rolling for the creation of a constitutional monarchy, much in the mold of the UK.

The Constitution was ratified on December 7, 1978, and is the very one upon which Zapatero took his oath his office.

Juan Carlos I is quite extraordinary in how he handled the transition of power from Franco to the present-day government.

[NV1962]

6. But the reason even Spanish republicans support him

is his staunch personal defense of Democracy on February 23rd, 1981.

Even more than his role in ushering in Democracy.

He's much respected for that. Also by me.

[July]

8. And by me. He has played a unique, important role in Spanish democracy.nt

[Zomby Woof]

9. yes

Thank you. The handling of the attempted coup in the El Cortes (The Parliament) was a watershed moment. It galvanized Spanish unity, an elusive concept when you contemplate what a tenuous mosaic of cultures and ethnicities Spain is.