SPAIN:SPAIN'S PRIME minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has proved his feminist credentials by naming more women than men to his new cabinet.
Nine out of the 17 senior figures in Mr Zapatero's re-elected Socialist government will be women, making them a cabinet majority for the first time.
Announcing the new cabinet, Zapatero said: "I feel very proud that there are more women ministers than men."
When Zapatero won his first general election in 2004 he named women to half the cabinet posts. But with the creation of two new ministries and the amalgamation of others the balance tipped.
Among the surprises was Carme Chacon, the new minister of defence. The post makes her part of Zapatero's inner circle, which also includes vice-president Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega.
Zapatero named 31-year-old Bibiana Aido as the minister for equality, making her the youngest cabinet minister in Spanish history.
- (Guardian Service)