# Third government of Felipe González

The third government of Felipe González was formed on 7 December 1989, following the latter's election as Prime Minister of Spain by the Congress of Deputies on 5 December and his swearing-in on 6 December, as a result of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) emerging as the largest parliamentary force at the 1989 Spanish general election. It succeeded the second González government and was the Government of Spain from 7 December 1989 to 14 July 1993, a total of 1,315 days, or 3 years, 7 months and 7 days.
González formed a continuity government, maintaining the same composition of the preceding cabinet as established in 1988. This came as a consequence of the pending legal challenges on election results in some constituencies sparking an apparent "provisionality feeling" on the new government, a situation which had already led to an unprecedented investiture session with 18 deputies being prevented by judicial courts from taking their offices. The government included two members of the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC)—initially Narcís Serra, later joined by Jordi Solé Tura—and four independents (Claudio Aranzadi, Jorge Semprún and Rosa Conde—who would end up joining the PSOE in November 1990—as well as Pedro Solbes from March 1991).
The government was automatically dismissed on 7 June 1993 as a consequence of the 1993 general election, but remained in acting capacity until the next government was sworn in.

## Investiture

Investiture Felipe González (PSOE) :
| Ballot → | Ballot → | 5 December 1989 |
| Required majority → | Required majority → | 167 out of 332 Y |
| | Yes • PSOE (166) • AIC (1) | 167 / 332 |
| | No • PP (99) • CiU (18) • IU–IC (17) • CDS (13) • PA (2) • UV (2) • EA (2) • EE (2) | 155 / 332 |
| | Abstentions • PNV (5) • PAR (1) | 6 / 332 |
| | Absentees • HB (4) | 4 / 332 |
| Sources |||

## Cabinet changes

González's third government saw a number of cabinet changes during its tenure:
* On 19 April 1990, Minister of Labour and Social Security Manuel Chaves was nominated to lead the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) into the 1990 Andalusian regional election. This led to a limited cabinet reshuffle, seeing Luis Martínez Noval replacing Chaves in his ministry post on 2 May.
* On 12 January 1991, Alfonso Guerra announced his resignation as Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, effective on 14 January, as a result of a political and financial scandal involving his brother Juan Guerra and which had been ongoing for over a year; but also after a stark erosion in the relationship with Prime Minister Felipe González had seen Guerra's standing in government weaken. González used the opportunity of Guerra's resignation to arrange a major cabinet reshuffle, which was materialized in March 1991. The reshuffle saw Narcís Serra becoming new Deputy Prime Minister; the incorporation of Tomás de la Quadra-Salcedo (Justice), Josep Borrell (Public Works and Transport), Pedro Solbes (Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), Juan Manuel Eguiagaray (Public Administrations), Jordi Solé Tura (Culture) and Julián García Valverde (Health and Consumer Affairs); the farewell of Enrique Múgica, Javier Sáenz de Cosculluela, Carlos Romero, Joaquín Almunia and Jorge Semprún; Julián García Vargas becoming new Minister of Defence succeeding Serra and the split up of José Barrionuevo's Transport, Tourism and Communications ministry between the Public Works and Industry departments. Of the new incorporations, Jordi Solé Tura was a member from the Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC) since 1988, whereas Pedro Solbes was an independent.
* On 10 January 1992, Julián García Valverde submitted his resignation as Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs as a result of alleged embezzlement and tax fraud accusations during Valverde's time as president of Renfe between 1985 and 1991. Felipe González accepted Valverde's resignation on 13 January and appointed José Antonio Griñán as a replacement.
* On 16 June 1992, Felipe González accepted Francisco Fernández Ordóñez's resignation as Minister of Foreign Affairs because of a deteriorating health resulting from the cancer affection he had been developing since 1988. Ordóñez had been on leave of absence since 31 May as a result of a physical impossibility to keep on his duties as minister, being replaced in his post by Javier Solana on 24 June; in turn, Solana was replaced in the Education portfolio by Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba. Fernández Ordóñez died on 7 August 1992, only a month and a half after his resignation.

## Council of Ministers

The Council of Ministers was structured into the offices for the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and 17 ministries, including the ministry for the spokesperson of the Government. The number of ministries was reduced to 16 after the Transport, Tourism and Communications portfolio was split and merged into the Public Works and Urbanism and Industry and Energy ministries in March 1991. The office of the deputy prime minister was left vacant from January to March 1991.
← González III Government → (7 December 1989 – 14 July 1993) :
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Prime Minister | Felipe González | | PSOE | 6 December 1989 | 13 July 1993 | |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Alfonso Guerra | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 14 January 1991 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | Francisco Fernández Ordóñez | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 16 June 1992 | |
| Minister of Justice | Enrique Múgica | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister of Defence | Narcís Serra | | PSOE (PSC) | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister of Economy and Finance | Carlos Solchaga | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of the Interior | José Luis Corcuera | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Public Works and Urbanism | Javier Sáenz de Cosculluela | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister of Education and Science | Javier Solana | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 24 June 1992 | |
| Minister of Labour and Social Security | Manuel Chaves | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 2 May 1990 | |
| Minister of Industry and Energy | Claudio Aranzadi | | PSOE (Ind.) | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Carlos Romero | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister for Public Administrations | Joaquín Almunia | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister of Transport, Tourism and Communications | José Barrionuevo | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister of Culture | Jorge Semprún | | PSOE (Ind.) | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs | Julián García Vargas | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | |
| Minister of Relations with the Cortes and the Government Secretariat | Virgilio Zapatero | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Social Affairs | Matilde Fernández | | PSOE | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Spokesperson Minister of the Government | Rosa Conde | | PSOE (Ind.) | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Changes May 1990 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Minister of Labour and Social Security | Luis Martínez Noval | | PSOE | 2 May 1990 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Changes January 1991 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Vacant from 14 January to 13 March 1991. | Vacant from 14 January to 13 March 1991. | Vacant from 14 January to 13 March 1991. | Vacant from 14 January to 13 March 1991. | Vacant from 14 January to 13 March 1991. | Vacant from 14 January to 13 March 1991. |
| Changes March 1991 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Narcís Serra | | PSOE (PSC) | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Justice | Tomás de la Quadra-Salcedo | | PSOE | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Defence | Julián García Vargas | | PSOE | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Public Works and Transport | Josep Borrell | | PSOE | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism | Claudio Aranzadi | | PSOE (Ind.) | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Pedro Solbes | | PSOE (Ind.) | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister for Public Administrations | Juan Manuel Eguiagaray | | PSOE | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Transport, Tourism and Communications | Disestablished on 13 March 1991. | Disestablished on 13 March 1991. | Disestablished on 13 March 1991. | Disestablished on 13 March 1991. | Disestablished on 13 March 1991. | Disestablished on 13 March 1991. |
| Minister of Culture | Jordi Solé Tura | | PSOE (PSC) | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs | Julián García Valverde | | PSOE | 13 March 1991 | 13 January 1992 | |
| Changes January 1992 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs | José Antonio Griñán | | PSOE | 15 January 1992 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Changes June 1992 |||||||
| Portfolio | Name | Party | Party | Took office | Left office | Ref. |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | Javier Solana | | PSOE | 24 June 1992 | 14 July 1993 | |
| Minister of Education and Science | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba | | PSOE | 24 June 1992 | 14 July 1993 | |

## Departmental structure

Felipe González's third 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) | Felipe González | 6 December 1989 | 13 July 1993 | PSOE | [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] |
| [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] |||||||
| Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia del Gobierno) | Alfonso Guerra | 7 December 1989 | 14 January 1991 (resigned) | PSOE | |
| Deputy Prime Minister (Vicepresidencia del Gobierno) | Narcís Serra | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE (PSC–PSOE) | |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs |||||||||
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores) | Francisco Fernández Ordóñez | 7 December 1989 | 16 June 1992 (resigned) | PSOE | [61] [62] |
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores) | Javier Solana | 24 June 1992 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | [61] [62] |
| [61] [62] |||||||
| Ministry of Justice |||||||||
| Ministry of Justice (Ministerio de Justicia) | Enrique Múgica | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | PSOE | [63] [64] [65] |
| Ministry of Justice (Ministerio de Justicia) | Tomás de la Quadra-Salcedo | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | [63] [64] [65] |
| [63] [64] [65] |||||||
| Ministry of Defence |||||||||
| Ministry of Defence (Ministerio de Defensa) | Narcís Serra | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | PSOE (PSC–PSOE) | |
| Ministry of Defence (Ministerio de Defensa) | Julián García Vargas | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Economy and Finance |||||||||
| Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda) | Carlos Solchaga | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | [43] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] |
| [43] [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] |||||||
| Ministry of the Interior |||||||||
| Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior) | José Luis Corcuera | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Public Works |||||||||
| Ministry of Public Works and Urbanism (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Urbanismo) (until 13 March 1991) Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes) (from 13 March 1991) | Javier Sáenz de Cosculluela | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Public Works and Urbanism (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Urbanismo) (until 13 March 1991) Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes) (from 13 March 1991) | Josep Borrell | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Education and Science |||||||||
| Ministry of Education and Science (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia) | Javier Solana | 7 December 1989 | 24 June 1992 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Education and Science (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia) | Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba | 24 June 1992 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Labour and Social Security |||||||||
| Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social) | Manuel Chaves | 7 December 1989 | 2 May 1990 | PSOE | [72] [73] [74] |
| Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social) | Luis Martínez Noval | 2 May 1990 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | [72] [73] [74] |
| [72] [73] [74] |||||||
| Ministry of Industry |||||||||
| Ministry of Industry and Energy (Ministerio de Industria y Energía) (until 13 March 1991) Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo) (from 13 March 1991) | Claudio Aranzadi | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE (Independent) | [43] [75] [76] |
| [43] [75] [76] |||||||
| Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food |||||||||
| Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) | Carlos Romero | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) | Pedro Solbes | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE (Independent) | |
| Ministry for Public Administrations |||||||||
| Ministry for Public Administrations (Ministerio para las Administraciones Públicas) | Joaquín Almunia | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | PSOE | |
| Ministry for Public Administrations (Ministerio para las Administraciones Públicas) | Juan Manuel Eguiagaray | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Transport, Tourism and Communications |||||||||
| Ministry of Transport, Tourism and Communications (Ministerio de Transportes, Turismo y Comunicaciones) (until 13 March 1991) | José Barrionuevo | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Culture |||||||||
| Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura) | Jorge Semprún | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | PSOE (Independent) | [77] [78] |
| Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura) | Jordi Solé Tura | 13 March 1991 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE (PSC–PSOE) | [77] [78] |
| [77] [78] |||||||
| Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs |||||||||
| Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) | Julián García Vargas | 7 December 1989 | 13 March 1991 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) | Julián García Valverde | 13 March 1991 | 13 January 1992 (resigned) | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) | José Antonio Griñán | 15 January 1992 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | |
| Ministry of Relations with the Cortes and the Government Secretariat |||||||||
| Ministry of Relations with the Cortes and the Government Secretariat (Ministerio de Relaciones con las Cortes y de la Secretaría del Gobierno) | Virgilio Zapatero | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | [77] [79] [80] [81] [82] |
| [77] [79] [80] [81] [82] |||||||
| Ministry of Social Affairs |||||||||
| Ministry of Social Affairs (Ministerio de Asuntos Sociales) | Matilde Fernández | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE | [78] [83] |
| [78] [83] |||||||
| Ministry of the Spokesperson of the Government |||||||||
| Ministry of the Spokesperson of the Government (Ministerio del Portavoz del Gobierno) | Rosa Conde | 7 December 1989 | 14 July 1993 | PSOE (PSOE from Nov 1990; Indep. until Nov 1990) | |