Spain's Zapatero reshuffles cabinet

[bemildred]

Source: CXNN

MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero reshuffled his cabinet Tuesday, replacing the finance minister and making other changes as the financial crisis deepens in Spain and the conservative opposition shows signs of resurgence.

Pedro Solbes, the second deputy prime minister and also the finance minister, was ousted, with Spain's unemployment rate of 14 percent the highest in the European Union and with the first Spanish bank failure announced just 10 days ago.

Zapatero announced the shakeup in a nationally-televised statement in Madrid, the first sweeping cabinet changes - after the recent substitution of the justice minister - since his Socialist government was elected to a second four-year term in March 2008.

"The fight against the economic crisis is our highest priority and it's in a decisive phase," Zapatero said. "There needs to be a change of rhythm to push ahead, with new strength, in a new period, especially during the first semester of 2010 when Spain will hold the (rotating) presidency of the European Union."

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/07/spain.politics/

[finisterre531]

1. I Hope Rajoy

Goes away. He is a mean spirited right winger like Bush.