The candidacy of socialist María Jesús Montero for the presidency of the Andalusian Junta, in the autonomous elections on May 17, left two holes in Pedro Sánchez’s Executive. To replace her as number two in the government, the prime minister chose the holder of the Economy portfolio, Carlos Body; while the current Secretary of State for Territorial Policy, Arcadi Spainwas promoted to Minister of Finance.
Sánchez presented the changes in an official statement from the Moncloa Palace, calling Montero the best politician he has ever known and a “fundamental pillar” of his Executive.
He will now lead the PSOE candidacy in Andalusia, a region that the party wants to recover after losing to the PP in 2019 (the polls are not positive).
The head of Government, who first communicated the changes to King Felipe VI, also praised his new No. 2, saying that Cuerpo is one of the most brilliant economists and civil servants in the country. “Carlos is doing an exceptional job leading the Ministry of Economy and I am convinced that he will be a fantastic first deputy prime minister”said Sánchez.
Regarding the new Minister of Finance, he said he was “an honest, intelligent and committed person, who will continue the good work of María Jesús Montero, and I am convinced that, together with Carlos Cuerpo, he will help keep Spain on the path of transformation, fiscal responsibility and prosperity that we have been following.”
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