Pedro Sánchez

Pedro Sánchez
source
Name	Pedro Sánchez
Caption	Sánchez in 2023
Office	Prime Minister of Spain
Monarch	Felipe VI
Term start	2 June 2018
Term end1	1 December 2023
Term start2	17 November 2023
Predecessor	Mariano Rajoy
Predecessor2	Mariano Rajoy
Successor1	Mariano Rajoy
Successor2	Incumbent
Office2	Secretary-General of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party
Term start2	26 June 2017
Predecessor2	Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba
Successor2	Incumbent
Birth date	29 February 1972
Birth place	Madrid, Spain
Party	Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
Spouse	Begoña Gómez
Alma mater	Complutense University of Madrid , Free University of Brussels , Camilo José Cela University
Profession	Economist, politician

Pedro Sánchez is a Spanish economist and politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Spain since June 2018, with a brief interruption in late 2023. A member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), he first assumed the office after successfully leading a motion of no confidence against the conservative government of Mariano Rajoy. His tenure has been marked by coalition governance with Unidas Podemos, navigating significant challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, and implementing progressive social and economic reforms.

Early life and education

Pedro Sánchez was born on 29 February 1972 in the Tetuán district of Madrid. He attended the IES Ramiro de Maeztu before pursuing higher education in economics. He earned a degree in Economics and Business Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, later obtaining a Master's degree in European Union Economics from the Free University of Brussels. He furthered his academic credentials with a doctorate in Economics from the Camilo José Cela University, where his thesis focused on the economic diplomacy of Spain within the European Union. During his studies, he was also a professional basketball player for a period with teams including CB Estudiantes.

Political career

Sánchez began his political career within the structures of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party in the Madrid City Council. He was first elected as a member of the Congress of Deputies in 2009, representing the Community of Madrid. After the PSOE's defeat in the 2011 general election, he emerged as a prominent figure, advocating for party renewal. He was elected Secretary-General of the PSOE in a primary election in 2014, but resigned in 2016 following internal party conflict after poor electoral results. He regained the leadership in 2017 after a contentious primary process, defeating rivals like Susana Díaz and positioning the party to challenge the government of Mariano Rajoy of the People's Party.

Prime Minister of Spain

Sánchez became Prime Minister in June 2018 after the PSOE successfully passed a motion of no confidence against Mariano Rajoy in the wake of the Gürtel scandal. His first government was a minority administration. After two inconclusive general elections in April and November 2019, he formed a historic coalition government with the left-wing alliance Unidas Podemos, the first such coalition since the restoration of democracy. Key policies included a significant increase in the minimum wage, the exhumation of Francisco Franco from the Valley of the Fallen, and a robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He called a snap election in July 2023 following poor local and regional results; after the ensuing election resulted in a hung parliament, he secured a controversial investiture deal in November 2023 with the support of Junts per Catalunya and the Basque Nationalist Party, among others, to form a new government.

Political positions and views

Sánchez identifies as a social democrat and has moved the PSOE toward a more explicitly progressive platform. His government has championed feminist policies, including the passage of the "Only Yes is Yes" sexual consent law. He supports strong action on climate change, aligning with the European Green Deal. On the territorial issue, his approach to the Catalan independence movement has shifted from a firm defense of the Spanish Constitution under Article 155 to a policy of dialogue and negotiation, culminating in the 2023 amnesty deal for those involved in the 2017 independence bid. In foreign policy, he is a staunch pro-European, maintaining strong ties with institutions like the European Commission and leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, while also seeking to strengthen relations with Latin American nations.

Personal life

Sánchez is married to Begoña Gómez, a marketing executive and businesswoman. The couple has two daughters and resides at the Palace of Moncloa, the official prime ministerial residence. He is known for his athleticism, regularly participating in running events and having completed several marathons. His personal memoir, *'Manual de Resistencia'* (Resistance Manual), published in 2019, details his political struggles and return to leadership. His family has been the subject of significant media attention, particularly regarding the business activities of his wife, which opposition parties like the People's Party and Vox have frequently criticized.

Category:Prime Ministers of Spain Category:Spanish Socialist Workers' Party politicians Category:1972 births Category:Living people