In the 21st century, Spain has had four prime ministers: José María Aznar, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Mariano Rajoy, and Pedro Sánchez . Study the political trajectory and achievements of each of them.
Jose Maria Aznar (1996-2004)
José María Aznar was the first prime minister of the 21st century in Spain , leading the Popular Party ( PP ) in the 1996 general elections. During his tenure, Aznar implemented a series of economic and social reforms that modernized the country and brought it closer to the neoliberal policies of the time. One of Aznar's greatest achievements was Spain's entry into the European Union (EU) and the adoption of the euro as its currency. He also promoted foreign investment and the privatization of state companies such as Telefónica and Endesa. However, his tenure was marked by Spain's participation in the Iraq War , despite strong popular opposition and criticism from the international community.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (2004-2011)
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was the second prime minister in Spain, leading the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in the 2004 general elections. During his tenure, Zapatero implemented a series of social and political reforms that radically changed the political landscape of Spain. .
One of Zapatero's greatest achievements was the approval of same-sex marriage, becoming one of the first countries in the world to do so. He also promoted gender equality policies, the fight against gender violence and the withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq.
Mariano Rajoy (2011-2018)
Mariano Rajoy was the third prime minister in Spain, leading the Popular Party (PP) in the 2011 general elections . During his tenure, Rajoy implemented economic austerity policies to deal with the financial crisis that affected Spain and other European countries . .
One of Rajoy's greatest achievements was the reduction of the public deficit and the recovery of the Spanish economy after the financial crisis. He also promoted labor and tax reform policies to improve the competitiveness of the Spanish economy. However, his tenure was marked by controversy and criticism for the management of the political corruption case known as "Gürtel".
Pedro Sánchez (2018-present)
Pedro Sánchez is the fourth and current president of the 21st century government in Spain, leading the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in the 2018 general elections. During his tenure, Sánchez has implemented policies of a social nature and has tried to confront the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of Sánchez's greatest achievements has been the approval of the Euthanasia Law in Spain, becoming one of the few countries in the world that have legalized this practice. It has also promoted gender equality policies and the fight against gender violence, as well as policies to improve access to education and medical care. In addition, Sánchez has had to face the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing measures to contain the spread of the virus and protect public health, such as the temporary closure of schools and non-essential businesses, and the promotion of teleworking. It has also promoted economic support policies for the sectors most affected by the pandemic, such as hospitality and tourism.
In conclusion, the last presidents of the 21st century in Spain have had to face various political and economic challenges, from the modernization of the Spanish economy to the fight for civil rights and the protection of public health during the COVID -19 pandemic. 19 . Each of them has left their mark on the history of Spain and has been valued for their achievements and criticized for their decisions and mistakes.
In any case, it is important to emphasize that politics and leadership are dynamic processes and that the decisions made by political leaders have consequences for society and the future of the country. Therefore, it is necessary to be informed and actively participate in the political and social life of the country to contribute to the well-being of all citizens.