Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

ModernPoliticianSpain1960 — ?

Spanish prime minister who legalized same-sex marriage.

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Quick Facts

Born

1960

Country

Spain

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)50

Political (20%)60

Influence (20%)58

Legacy (20%)50

Leadership (15%)66

Strategy (15%)43

Total Score55.2

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero — Complete Timeline

2004 AD

Election as Prime Minister of SpainPolitical Action◆ Major

Zapatero's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party won the 2004 general election three days after the Madrid train bombings. He became Prime Minister on April 17, 2004, and immediately withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq.

ElectionGovernment

Impact: national

2005 AD

Legalization of Same-Sex MarriageReform◆ Major

Zapatero's government passed a law legalizing same-sex marriage on July 3, 2005, making Spain one of the first countries to do so. The law also granted adoption rights to same-sex couples, sparking opposition from the Catholic Church.

Social ReformLGBTQ Rights

Impact: nationalprogressive

2007 AD

Law of Historical MemoryReform◆ Major

Zapatero's government enacted the Law of Historical Memory on October 31, 2007, which recognized victims of the Spanish Civil War and Francoist regime. It provided for the removal of Francoist symbols and support for exhumations of mass graves.

Historical JusticeCivil War

Impact: nationalconstructive

2010 AD

Economic Crisis and AusterityPolitical Action◆ Major

Facing the Eurozone crisis, Zapatero's government implemented austerity measures in May 2010, including public sector wage cuts and pension freezes. This reversed his earlier expansionary policies and led to protests and a loss of popularity.

Economic CrisisAusterity

Impact: nationaldestructive