Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appointed a new foreign minister but retained his economy minister in a cabinet reshuffle on Saturday.
Jose Manuel Albares was named foreign minister, while Isabel Rodriguez will become the new government spokesperson and territories minister. Nadia Calvino kept the economy portfolio.
The five members of Unidas Podemos, a minority partner in the Socialist-led coalition government, remain the same.
Albares, the current ambassador in Paris, takes over from Arancha Gonzalez Laya, who was widely criticised for her handling of a crisis with Morocco after agreeing for Western Sahara independence leader Brahim Ghali to be treated in an Spanish hospital.
Sanchez said the main task of this cabinet will be to consolidate the economic recovery and job creation.
Another important departure is Sanchez’s chief of staff, Ivan Redondo, considered the prime minister’s right-hand man and responsible for his electoral successes. He will be replaced by Oscar Lopez, a member of the Socialist Party.
The five members of Unidas Podemos, a minority partner in the coalition government, retain their positions.
The average age of the new team is 50-years-old, and the proportion of women increased to 63%.
Sanchez took office in January 2020 after months of political instability that led to Spain’s fourth election in four years.
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