Pedro Sánchez appoints Carlos Cuerpo as First Vice-President of the Government and Arcadi España as Finance Minister

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has announced the changes in his Executive following the departure of the Minister for Finance, María Jesús Montero, who is a candidate in the election to the Andalusian Parliament.

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the announcement of the changes in the Executive (Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The head of the Executive made an institutional declaration at Moncloa Palace to announce changes in the composition of the Executive, after informing King Felipe VI.

Pedro Sánchez has announced the appointment of Carlos Cuerpo as the new first vice-president of the government, replacing María Jesús Montero. Cuerpo retains the portfolio of Economy, Trade and Business. Likewise, the head of the Executive has announced that the new Minister for Finance will be Arcadi España, until now Secretary of State for Territorial Policy.

During his speech, the president highlighted María Jesús Montero's "almost eight years of tireless work in the service of Spain". "She is the best politician I have ever known and has been a fundamental pillar in this Government and in the different administrations I have had the honour of presiding," he added. Pedro Sánchez also stressed that Montero "has ensured that Spain has always had the necessary resources to weather unprecedented crises" and to strengthen public services, protect citizens and promote the great transformations of our era.

Furthermore, Pedro Sánchez pointed out that María Jesús Montero has managed European funds well and has provided local authorities with more financial resources than ever before. "She has been a decisive figure in the Government's negotiations, taking parliamentary dialogue to its highest levels of responsibility and democracy," he stressed.

Carlos Cuerpo, new first vice-president

The head of the Executive announced that the current Minister for Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, will also be the new first vice-president of the Government. Cuerpo, according to the president, "is one of the most brilliant economists and public servants in our country" and is doing "an exceptional job" at the head of his department.

Arcadi España, new finance minister

The new finance minister will be the former secretary of territorial policy, Arcadi España, who has a long career in the service of the State, as a member of several ministries, as minister of territorial policy and as finance minister of the Generalitat Valenciana. Pedro Sánchez described him as "an upright, intelligent, committed person who will continue the good work of María Jesús Montero".

"Experience, integrity, technical solvency, coherence. That is the profile of this Government," the president concluded.

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