Deputy Prime Minister of Spain

History

The office of deputy prime minister, like the premiership, dates back to the 19th century. A Royal Decree of 1840 appointed Joaquín María Ferrer as Vice President of the Council of Ministers. However the office was not used again until 1925 when Miguel Primo de Rivera transitioned from a military to a civil government, reestablishing the Council of Ministers, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and re-creating the Vice Presidency. The vice president's function was to replace the president in cases of absence or illness. This vice-president, said article 3 of the Royal Decree, was appointed by the president from among the members of the Council of Ministers. The Vice Presidency was vested in the Under Secretary of the Interior, Severiano Martínez Anido, who combined the position with that of Interior Minister.

With the resignation of Primo de Rivera and the fall of the monarchy, the Second Republic was established in Spain, which did not initially consider a deputy prime minister necessary. However, in December 1933, Prime Minister Lerroux appointed Diego Martínez Barrio Vice President of the Council of Ministers, a position from which he resigned only three months later.

The Law of January 30, 1938, changed the title to Vice Presidency of the Government and, with the formation of the first Franco government, this position was granted to general Francisco Gómez-Jordana Sousa. From 1938 to 1981 the position was occupied by military officials, with the exception of the vice presidents Torcuato Fernández Miranda (1973-1973) and José García Hernández (1974-1975). Since 1981, with a democracy markedly established in society, Prime Minister Calvo-Sotelo appointed a civilian as Deputy, definitively separating the military power from the executive power, a situation that remains today.

Responsibilities

As of 2024, the first deputy prime minister responsibilities are:

• Advising the prime minister.
• To replace the prime minister in the cases of vacancy, absence or illness.
• The exercise of the responsibilities entrusted by the prime minister.
• To chair the Government Delegated Committee for Economic Affairs.

List of officeholders

References

References

1. EFE. (2019-01-14). "Pedro Sánchez percibirá un salario de 82.978 euros". El País.
2. (13 October 1840). "Royal Decree, by which the Queen Regent appointed Joaquin Maria Ferrer Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Finance.".
3. (19 March 1841). "Minutes of the Cortes - March 1841".
4. (4 December 1925). "Royal decree suppressing the positions of President, Members and Secretary of the Military Directorate; restore the positions of President of the Council of Ministers and of the Ministers of the Crown.".
5. (4 December 1925). "Royal decree appointing Mr. Severiano Martínez Anido, Minister of the Interior, as Vice President of the Council of Ministers.".
6. "Decree appointing Vice President of the Council of Ministers to Mr. Diego Martínez Barrio.".
7. "Decree admitting the resignation of Diego Martínez Barrio to the position of Vice President of the Council of Ministers.".
8. "Ley 50/1997, de 27 de noviembre, del Gobierno.".
9. "Real Decreto 830/2023, de 20 de noviembre, sobre las Vicepresidencias del Gobierno.".