# Second government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero

The second government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was formed on 14 April 2008, following the latter's election as Prime Minister of Spain by the Congress of Deputies on 11 April and his swearing-in on 12 April, as a result of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) emerging as the largest parliamentary force at the 2008 Spanish general election. It succeeded the first Zapatero government and was the Government of Spain from 14 April 2008 to 22 December 2011, a total of 1,347 days, or 3 years, 8 months and 8 days.
The cabinet comprised members of the PSOE (including its sister party, the Socialists' Party of Catalonia, PSC) and a number of independents. It was automatically dismissed on 21 November 2011 as a consequence of the 2011 general election, but remained in acting capacity until the next government was sworn in.

## Investiture

Investiture José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (PSOE) :
| Ballot → | Ballot → | 9 April 2008 | 11 April 2008 |
| Required majority → | Required majority → | 176 out of 350 N | Simple Y |
| | Yes • PSOE (169) (168 on 9 Apr) | 168 / 350 | 169 / 350 |
| | No • PP (154) • ERC (3) • UPyD (1) | 158 / 350 | 158 / 350 |
| | Abstentions • CiU (10) • PNV (6) • IU–ICV (2) • BNG (2) • CC (2) • NaBai (1) | 23 / 350 | 23 / 350 |
| | Abstentees • PSOE (1) (on 9 Apr) | 1 / 350 | 0 / 350 |
| Sources ||||

## Cabinet changes

Zapatero's second government saw a number of cabinet changes during its tenure:
* On 23 February 2009, Mariano Fernández Bermejo resigned as Minister of Justice after it transpired that he had participated in a hunting trip in Andalusia together with Judge Baltasar Garzón—at the time, responsible for the ongoing Gürtel case investigations involving senior People's Party (PP) members. Bermejo came under fire from PP leaders, who accused him of interfering within the investigations. While he denied such claims, he submitted his resignation due to the growing political pressure on him. He was succeeded by Francisco Caamaño.
* On 7 April 2009, the cabinet saw an extensive reshuffle. Pedro Solbes stepped down as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance and was replaced by Elena Salgado, who in turn stepped down as Minister of Public Administrations. President of Andalusia Manuel Chaves was appointed as Third Deputy Prime Minister and new Minister of Territorial Policy. José Blanco replaced Magdalena Álvarez as Minister of Development; Ángel Gabilondo replaced Mercedes Cabrera in Education; Ángeles González-Sinde replaced César Antonio Molina in Culture and Trinidad Jiménez replaced Bernat Soria as Minister of Health.
* On 21 October 2010, Celestino Corbacho stepped down as Minister of Labour and Immigration in order to run within the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC)'s list for the 2010 Catalan regional election, being replaced by Valeriano Gómez. Zapatero took this opportunity to undertake a major cabinet reshuffle which saw María Teresa Fernández de la Vega being replaced as First Deputy Prime Minister and Spokesperson of the Government by Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba—who retained his office as Minister of the Interior—and as Minister of the Presidency by Ramón Jáuregui. Trinidad Jiménez replaced Miguel Ángel Moratinos as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Rosa Aguilar replaced Elena Espinosa as Minister of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs and Leire Pajín was appointed to the Health ministry. The ministries of Housing and Equality were restructured into state secretariats within the Development and Health ministries, respectively. Finally, Chaves's Territorial Policy portfolio was restructured into the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Public Administration.
* On 12 July 2011, Rubalcaba stepped down from the government after having been nominated as the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)'s leading candidate for the 2011 general election. Subsequently, a final reshuffle took place, with changes limited to fill the vacancies: Antonio Camacho was appointed in Interior, José Blanco replaced Rubalcaba as the Government's spokesperson and the offices of the deputy prime ministers under Elena Salgado and Manuel Chaves were restructured.

## Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers was structured into the offices for the prime minister, the two deputy prime ministers, 17 ministries and the post of the spokesperson of the Government. From April 2009, the Council would include a third deputy prime minister. The number of ministries was reduced to 15 after the ministries of Housing and Equality were merged into the Development and Health departments in October 2010. From July 2011, the Council would include only two deputy prime ministers.
← Zapatero II Government → (14 April 2008 – 22 December 2011) :
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Prime Minister | José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero | | PSOE | 12 April 2008 | 21 December 2011 | |
| First Deputy Prime Minister Minister of the Presidency Spokesperson of the Government | Mª Teresa Fernández de la Vega | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | [27] [28] [29] |
| Second Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Economy and Finance | Pedro Solbes | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | [27] [30] |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation | Miguel Ángel Moratinos | | PSOE | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | |
| Minister of Justice | Mariano Fernández Bermejo | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 23 February 2009 | |
| Minister of Defence | Carme Chacón | | PSOE (PSC) | 14 April 2008 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of the Interior | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba | | PSOE | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | |
| Minister of Development | Magdalena Álvarez | | PSOE | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | |
| Minister of Education, Social Policy and Sports | Mercedes Cabrera | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | |
| Minister of Labour and Immigration | Celestino Corbacho | | PSOE (PSC) | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | |
| Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade | Miguel Sebastián | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs | Elena Espinosa | | PSOE | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | |
| Minister of Public Administrations | Elena Salgado | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | |
| Minister of Culture | César Antonio Molina | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | |
| Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs | Bernat Soria | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | |
| Minister of Housing | Beatriz Corredor | | PSOE | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | |
| Minister of Science and Innovation | Cristina Garmendia | | PSOE (Ind.) | 14 April 2008 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Equality | Bibiana Aído | | PSOE | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | |
| Changes February 2009 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Minister of Justice | Francisco Caamaño | | PSOE | 24 February 2009 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Changes April 2009 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Second Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Economy and Finance | Elena Salgado | | PSOE (Ind.) | 7 April 2009 | 12 July 2011 | [32] [33] |
| Third Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Territorial Policy | Manuel Chaves | | PSOE | 7 April 2009 | 21 October 2010 | [34] [35] |
| Minister of Development | José Blanco | | PSOE | 7 April 2009 | 12 July 2011 | |
| Minister of Education | Ángel Gabilondo | | PSOE (Ind.) | 7 April 2009 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Culture | Ángeles González-Sinde | | PSOE (Ind.) | 7 April 2009 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Health and Social Policy | Trinidad Jiménez | | PSOE | 7 April 2009 | 21 October 2010 | |
| Changes October 2010 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| First Deputy Prime Minister Minister of the Interior Spokesperson of the Government | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba | | PSOE | 21 October 2010 | 12 July 2011 | [40] [41] |
| Third Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Territorial Policy and Public Administration | Manuel Chaves | | PSOE | 21 October 2010 | 12 July 2011 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation | Trinidad Jiménez | | PSOE | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Labour and Immigration | Valeriano Gómez | | PSOE | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs | Rosa Aguilar | | PSOE (Ind.) | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of the Presidency | Ramón Jáuregui | | PSOE | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Health, Social Policy and Equality | Leire Pajín | | PSOE | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Housing | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. |
| Minister of Equality | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. | Disestablished on 21 October 2010. |
| Changes July 2011 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Minister of Economy and Finance | Elena Salgado | | PSOE (Ind.) | 12 July 2011 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Deputy Prime Minister for Territorial Policy Minister of Territorial Policy and Public Administration | Manuel Chaves | | PSOE | 12 July 2011 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Third Deputy Prime Minister | Discontinued on 12 July 2011. | Discontinued on 12 July 2011. | Discontinued on 12 July 2011. | Discontinued on 12 July 2011. | Discontinued on 12 July 2011. | Discontinued on 12 July 2011. |
| Minister of the Interior | Antonio Camacho | | PSOE (Ind.) | 12 July 2011 | 22 December 2011 | |
| Minister of Development Spokesperson of the Government | José Blanco | | PSOE | 12 July 2011 | 22 December 2011 | |

## Departmental structure

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's second government was organised into several superior and governing units, whose number, powers and hierarchical structure varied depending on the ministerial department.

### Unit/body rank

* (■) Secretary of state
* (■) Undersecretary
* (■) Director-general
* (●) Autonomous agency
* (◆) Military & intelligence agency
| Office (Original name) | Name | Took office | Left office | Alliance/party | Ref. |
| Prime Minister's Office |||||||||
| Prime Minister (Presidencia del Gobierno) | José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero | 12 April 2008 | 21 December 2011 | PSOE | [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] |
| [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] |||||||
| First Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia Primera del Gobierno) (until 12 July 2011) Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs (Vicepresidencia del Gobierno de Asuntos Económicos) (from 12 July 2011) | Mª Teresa Fernández de la Vega | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE (Independent) | [21] [23] [25] |
| First Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia Primera del Gobierno) (until 12 July 2011) Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs (Vicepresidencia del Gobierno de Asuntos Económicos) (from 12 July 2011) | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba | 21 October 2010 | 12 July 2011 | PSOE | [21] [23] [25] |
| First Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia Primera del Gobierno) (until 12 July 2011) Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs (Vicepresidencia del Gobierno de Asuntos Económicos) (from 12 July 2011) | Elena Salgado | 12 July 2011 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [21] [23] [25] |
| [21] [23] [25] |||||||
| Second Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia Segunda del Gobierno) (until 12 July 2011) Deputy Prime Minister for Territorial Policy (Vicepresidencia del Gobierno de Política Territorial) (from 12 July 2011) | Pedro Solbes | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | PSOE (Independent) | [21] [23] [25] |
| Second Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia Segunda del Gobierno) (until 12 July 2011) Deputy Prime Minister for Territorial Policy (Vicepresidencia del Gobierno de Política Territorial) (from 12 July 2011) | Elena Salgado | 7 April 2009 | 12 July 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [21] [23] [25] |
| Second Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia Segunda del Gobierno) (until 12 July 2011) Deputy Prime Minister for Territorial Policy (Vicepresidencia del Gobierno de Política Territorial) (from 12 July 2011) | Manuel Chaves | 12 July 2011 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [21] [23] [25] |
| [21] [23] [25] |||||||
| Third Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia Tercera del Gobierno) (7 April 2009 – 12 July 2011) | Manuel Chaves | 7 April 2009 | 12 July 2011 | PSOE | [23] [25] |
| [23] [25] |||||||
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation |||||||||
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación) | Miguel Ángel Moratinos | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE | [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación) | Trinidad Jiménez | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] |
| [59] [60] [61] [62] [63] |||||||
| Ministry of Justice |||||||||
| Ministry of Justice (Ministerio de Justicia) | Mariano Fernández Bermejo | 14 April 2008 | 23 February 2009 (resigned) | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [64] [65] [66] |
| Ministry of Justice (Ministerio de Justicia) | Francisco Caamaño | 24 February 2009 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [59] [64] [65] [66] |
| [59] [64] [65] [66] |||||||
| Ministry of Defence |||||||||
| Ministry of Defence (Ministerio de Defensa) | Carme Chacón | 14 April 2008 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (PSC–PSOE) | [59] [67] [68] [69] |
| [59] [67] [68] [69] |||||||
| Ministry of Economy and Finance |||||||||
| Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda) | Pedro Solbes | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [70] [71] |
| Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda) | Elena Salgado | 7 April 2009 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [70] [71] |
| [59] [70] [71] |||||||
| Ministry of the Interior |||||||||
| Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior) | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba | 14 April 2008 | 12 July 2011 | PSOE | [59] [72] |
| Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior) | Antonio Camacho | 12 July 2011 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [72] |
| [59] [72] |||||||
| Ministry of Development |||||||||
| Ministry of Development (Ministerio de Fomento) | Magdalena Álvarez | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | PSOE | [59] [73] [74] [75] [76] |
| Ministry of Development (Ministerio de Fomento) | José Blanco | 7 April 2009 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [59] [73] [74] [75] [76] |
| [59] [73] [74] [75] [76] |||||||
| Ministry of Education |||||||||
| Ministry of Education, Social Policy and Sports (Ministerio de Educación, Política Social y Deporte) (until 7 April 2009) Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación) (from 7 April 2009) | Mercedes Cabrera | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | PSOE (Independent) | [58] [59] [73] [77] [78] [79] |
| Ministry of Education, Social Policy and Sports (Ministerio de Educación, Política Social y Deporte) (until 7 April 2009) Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación) (from 7 April 2009) | Ángel Gabilondo | 7 April 2009 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [58] [59] [73] [77] [78] [79] |
| [58] [59] [73] [77] [78] [79] |||||||
| Ministry of Labour and Immigration |||||||||
| Ministry of Labour and Immigration (Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigración) | Celestino Corbacho | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE (PSC–PSOE) | [59] [80] [81] [82] |
| Ministry of Labour and Immigration (Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigración) | Valeriano Gómez | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [59] [80] [81] [82] |
| [59] [80] [81] [82] |||||||
| Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade |||||||||
| Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade (Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio) | Miguel Sebastián | 14 April 2008 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [62] [73] [83] [84] [85] |
| [59] [62] [73] [83] [84] [85] |||||||
| Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs |||||||||
| Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Affairs (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, y Medio Rural y Marino) | Elena Espinosa | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE | [59] [86] [87] |
| Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Affairs (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, y Medio Rural y Marino) | Rosa Aguilar | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [86] [87] |
| [59] [86] [87] |||||||
| Ministry of the Presidency |||||||||
| Ministry of the Presidency (Ministerio de la Presidencia) | Mª Teresa Fernández de la Vega | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [73] [88] [89] [90] [91] [92] |
| Ministry of the Presidency (Ministerio de la Presidencia) | Ramón Jáuregui | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [59] [73] [88] [89] [90] [91] [92] |
| [59] [73] [88] [89] [90] [91] [92] |||||||
| Ministry of Territorial Policy and Public Administration |||||||||
| Ministry of Public Administrations (Ministerio de Administraciones Públicas) (until 7 April 2009) Ministry of Territorial Policy (Ministerio de Política Territorial) (7 April 2009 – 21 October 2010) Ministry of Territorial Policy and Public Administration (Ministerio de Política Territorial y Administración Pública) (from 21 October 2010) | Elena Salgado | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [73] [93] [94] [95] |
| Ministry of Public Administrations (Ministerio de Administraciones Públicas) (until 7 April 2009) Ministry of Territorial Policy (Ministerio de Política Territorial) (7 April 2009 – 21 October 2010) Ministry of Territorial Policy and Public Administration (Ministerio de Política Territorial y Administración Pública) (from 21 October 2010) | Manuel Chaves | 7 April 2009 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [59] [73] [93] [94] [95] |
| [59] [73] [93] [94] [95] |||||||
| Ministry of Culture |||||||||
| Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura) | César Antonio Molina | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [96] |
| Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura) | Ángeles González-Sinde | 7 April 2009 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [96] |
| [59] [96] |||||||
| Ministry of Health |||||||||
| Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) (until 7 April 2009) Ministry of Health and Social Policy (Ministerio de Sanidad y Política Social) (7 April 2009 – 21 October 2010) Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality (Ministerio de Sanidad, Política Social e Igualdad) (from 21 October 2010) | Bernat Soria | 14 April 2008 | 7 April 2009 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [73] [97] [98] [99] [100] |
| Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) (until 7 April 2009) Ministry of Health and Social Policy (Ministerio de Sanidad y Política Social) (7 April 2009 – 21 October 2010) Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality (Ministerio de Sanidad, Política Social e Igualdad) (from 21 October 2010) | Trinidad Jiménez | 7 April 2009 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE | [59] [73] [97] [98] [99] [100] |
| Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) (until 7 April 2009) Ministry of Health and Social Policy (Ministerio de Sanidad y Política Social) (7 April 2009 – 21 October 2010) Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality (Ministerio de Sanidad, Política Social e Igualdad) (from 21 October 2010) | Leire Pajín | 21 October 2010 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [59] [73] [97] [98] [99] [100] |
| [59] [73] [97] [98] [99] [100] |||||||
| Ministry of Housing |||||||||
| Ministry of Housing (Ministerio de Vivienda) (until 21 October 2010) | Beatriz Corredor | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE | [59] [101] |
| [59] [101] |||||||
| Ministry of Science and Innovation |||||||||
| Ministry of Science and Innovation (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) | Cristina Garmendia | 14 April 2008 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE (Independent) | [59] [73] [102] [103] |
| [59] [73] [102] [103] |||||||
| Ministry of Equality |||||||||
| Ministry of Equality (Ministerio de Igualdad) (until 21 October 2010) | Bibiana Aído | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE | [59] [104] |
| [59] [104] |||||||
| Spokesperson of the Government |||||||||
| Spokesperson of the Government (Portavoz del Gobierno) | Mª Teresa Fernández de la Vega | 14 April 2008 | 21 October 2010 | PSOE (Independent) | [29] [41] [51] |
| Spokesperson of the Government (Portavoz del Gobierno) | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba | 21 October 2010 | 12 July 2011 | PSOE | [29] [41] [51] |
| Spokesperson of the Government (Portavoz del Gobierno) | José Blanco | 12 July 2011 | 22 December 2011 | PSOE | [29] [41] [51] |