24 Dec, 2011 @ 17:43
1 min read

Rajoy’s deputy dubbed ‘the most powerful woman in Spain’

SHE may have given birth just last month, but that has not stopped Spain’s new Deputy Prime Minister being dubbed the most powerful woman in Spain.

Soraya Saenz de Santamaria was handed a range of new important duties when Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced his new cabinet this week.

As well as being named as deputy to the top post, the 40-year-old is now chief government spokesman and, as minister of the presidency, will also take charge of relations between Rajoy’s office and parliament.

And since the presidency ministry has also taken charge of Spain’s intelligence service, which has been transferred from the Ministry of Defence, Saenz de Santamaria is now also in charge of the country’s 3,500 spies.

“I accept I have many duties,” she said after the PP’s first cabinet meeting yesterday.

“I am one of those who thinks you have to speak of duty more than powers.”

She added: “I will do my utmost to handle everything, and if there is something I cannot do I will ask for help.”

Saenz de Santamaria said a number of new measures would be announced next Friday 30, including a freeze on filling new civil service vacancies except in key areas such as the security forces.

Eloise Horsfield

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