Cabinet Shuffle Provides Spain with New Minister for Education

Under the ever recent popular cabinet shuffle, Prime Minister Zapatero has appointed a new minster for education as well. Ángel Gabilondo, who according to an article, is the senior academic and administrative officer for University of Madrid since 2002, and will also be taking responsibility for the Spanish universities - assuming the duties from Christina Garmendia. The decision seems to be a positive one, as Gabilondo is respected amongst the other universities and has, according to an article, already promised, ""‘firmness and dialogue’ with students in what is known as the Bologna Process, the creation of a European Higher Education Area by 2010 by establishing a common structure of higher education systems across Europe."" I really appreciate and respect the emphasis he has also placed on decreasing the failure rate in universities, and his motivation to create an overall flow in all levels of education throughout the country. His overall theme and view for the next few years: "achieve an ‘integrated and global view of education".

(Photo Credit: EFE)

Controversial Abortion Powerpoint in Classroom Sparks More Law Reformation Issues

The level of controversy amongst Spain's Catholic residents, and the Prime Minister is at a steady increase. In the past month or so there have been multiple protests, on both sides of the issue, and in particular a north Spain parochial school, Purísima Concepción y Santa María Micaela school, located in Logroño (northern Spain). The teacher, Sister Maria Victoria Vindel, according to an article, showed her 15 year old students a PowerPoint presentation which contained graphic images of aborted children. The images provided by Sister Vindel were classified by the regional government, which is run by Popular Party, as "inappropriate" and could "constitute "moral aggression"". This uproar is just one of the several ways the Catholic community is rejecting prime minister Zapatero's abortion law reformation. The article, 'Spanish Leader Picks Fight With Catholic Church' has a bit of a negative undertone, but directly applies to the situation at hand. Although there appears to be an even distribution of opinion to each side, Spain being dominantly Catholic, this continued topic of reformation has spiked some upset among those against and for it. According to the article, members of some of the Catholic brotherhoods who are participants in the processions for Holy Week have pinned white ribbons on their robes, with tiny footprints on it as a sign of protest. Bishops are beginning to reflect their opinion and their strong advisement to not adhere to the new reformation in their sermon's at Sunday mass celebrations. Zapatero's push for this reformation is unfortunately going to cause a lot of issues in the country he needs to keep and continue to gain favoritism in. It is thought by some that the reformation of the law may keep women from late term abortions, but there have been cases before that show this would mend this issue.

Spain Provides Troops for Friendlier Relations with U.S.

Spanish administration continues to work on repairing their relations with the United States, since President Obama's move into office. Their most recent efforts? They have committed to increasing their troops over 1,000 in Afghanistan (a 222 troop count increases from their current 778). According to an article, the move is thought to be "symbolic" of how far the country's Prime Minister[President] Zapatero is willing to go in order to repair the damage caused by the not so friendly relations during the Bush administrations time in office. This move would not only show efforts for increased favoritism of Obama's newest plan for Afghanistan, but also an overall increased respect for the Obama administration all together. According to Time's wrap up of Obama's Afghanistan plan, it is quoted that he, "Like Bush, Obama plans to send more U.S. troops to fight the insurgency in Afghanistan. In fact, when you add them up — the additional brigade Bush announced in January, the 17,000 combat troops Obama announced a couple of weeks ago and the 4,000 trainers added Friday — you get almost exactly the same number of extra troops sent into Iraq for the "surge."" Something I find exhausting about this is if Bush had just had better relations with Spain, their administration, and government - the ability to have support from not only Spain but other possible supports was there. An underlying hope from the Spain administration is for past active relations to become more common again, such as according to an article, "common policies from climate change to relations with Latin America and Muslim countries."

Although the two have already met, they will speak of the official terms and details of the announcement next week when they meet in Prague for a European Union-US summit. Zapatero speaks highly of Obama since they first met, according a quote provided to the Spanish press, saying, "“My impression of [President Obama] couldn't be better. The US and the world in general are experiencing a time of great hope." With Spain stepping up as the first European country to take the first leap towards success for Obama's plan, others are sure to follow. Although this shows a great initiative from the country, it is doubtful they will provide any more troops as, according to article, "most Spaniards don’t support a military solution and want an exit strategy that allows Afghanistan to reestablish control over its own affairs."

(Photo credit: RICARDO GUTIÉRREZ / AFP)

Spain + Obama + Guantanamo Prisoners = Better U.S. Relations?

After Spain's Socialist Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, was indirectly rejected by President Bush (pertaining a no-invite to Washington) he is rather elated to have President Obama in office. Spain having a more left sided point of view when it comes to politics, is hopeful in future foreign policy decisions with the U.S. and progressive developments in several other countries.

The meeting between Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and Spain politician, Miguel Angel Moratinos posed for positive growth between the U.S. and Spain. At the meeting, Moratinos told Clinton he would accept prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. "The new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has with her words and messages marked a new stage, in which Spain can have an active and much more intense role in the world," said Moratinos, according to an article.

What will Obama's presence in the office do for Spain? Well Spanish officials hope for a more "multilateral foreign policy approach and be favorable to Spain and their special areas of interest such as Latin America and North Africa. Along with these new developments, Spain would also like to see more of a development in Afghanistan.

In regards to the prisoners, Moratinos says they will determine the minimum and maximum accepted on a case by case situation.

All in all, they hope for more of an opportunity for an open relationship now that Obama is in office - providing for a better foreign policy foundation, and stronger more welcoming relations with the U.S.