Some people are confused about the title of “President” in the Kingdom of Spain.
For those not familiar with Spain political structure, based on the Constitution of Spain of 1978 the Prime Minister of Spain is the President. Spain has both a King and a President.
The President of the Government of Spain (Spanish: Presidente del Gobierno), usually known in English as the Prime Minister of Spain, is the Spanish head of government. By political custom established by Juan Carlos I of Spain since the ratification of the 1978 Constitution,The King of Spain nominates a candidate for the presidency who stands before the Congress of Deputies for a Vote of Confidence. Once confirmed by the Congress, the king officially appoints the candidate as President of the Government. The current President is José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
Brief, The Spanish head of government is known, in Spanish, as the Presidente del Gobierno. Literally translated, the title is “President of the Government” or alternatively “Chairman of the Government” In Spain he is simply called Presidente, meaning ‘President’.
This does not mean that you should say “republic of Spain”. Spain is a Kingdom with a King and a President.
The custom to name the head of government as “President” dates back to the reign of Isabella II of Spain, when the official title was Presidente del Consejo de Ministros (“President of the Council of Ministers”). Before 1833 the political figure was known as Secretario de Estado (“Secretary of State”), a denomination used today for junior ministers.
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