April 8, 2004. Copyright, 2004, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Profile of Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, April 8, Graphic News:  There can be few leaders for whom the saying Òone manÕs loss is another manÕs gainÓ is as true as for Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. The Spanish handed him victory in the March 14 election largely to punish their prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar. Now he has to earn their support.

Before the terrorist attacks on four Madrid commuter trains on March 11, Zapatero had been trailing in the polls. Even some Socialist colleagues wondered aloud whether the law professor from northern Leon was the right candidate to oust AznarÕs centre-right Popular Party. The governmentÕs handling of the investigation into the atrocity changed all that.

To Spaniards in need of a little charisma, the courteous, teetotal Zapatero might not have appeared so different from his sober-suited rival, Aznar: both are routinely described as dull and both are conservative in lifestyle. Scratch a little deeper, however, and their ideological differences could have significant implications for the future of Spain, and even Europe.

Born in Valladolid in 1960, Zapatero joined the Socialist Party in 1979 and qualified as a law professor before embarking on a smooth passage through party ranks. First elected an MP in 1989, he became party General Secretary in July 2000, taking over from veteran leader Felipe Gonzalez, on whom he styled himself. He is married with two children.

Zapatero has written that the clue to his political thinking lies with his grandfather, an army captain shot by facist forces during the Spanish civil war. As his grandfather faced the firing squad, he wrote of himself: Òhe dies innocent and pardonsÓ. Those words had a profound effect on the young Zapatero, who has often professed his belief in national reconciliation.

Few politicians stay on top by merely promising to ÒlistenÓ and seek ÒdialogueÓ, and Zapatero was ridiculed after he said that, if he met an ETA terrorist in the street, he would Ònot look him in the faceÓ. But his conciliatory manner may now be balm for Spaniards weary of the autocratic Aznar, who led them into a war with Iraq that more than 80 percent opposed.

After winning the election, he accused President Bush and BritainÕs Tony Blair of organising Òa war with liesÓ. He has warned that he will pull out Spanish troops if the UN does not take charge of Iraq by June 30, and has promised to revive his countryÕs old alliance with France and Germany at the heart of Europe. Such statements have found broad support in a country whose politically aware people were never comfortable merely toeing the White House line. 

On the domestic front, Zapatero has yet to convince critics, including Felipe Gonzalez, who were angered by his failure to capitalise on MadridÕs bungled handling of the Prestige oil tanker disaster in November 2002: the conservatives went on to perform well in last yearÕs regional elections. But he inherits a healthy economy and -- in the present climate -- his accommodating attitude towards the rebellious regions now looks more well-judged than na•ve.
/ENDS