| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
Rajoy was born in Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia in north-western Spain, a traditionally conservative area. He holds a degree in law from the University of Santiago de Compostela and worked as a property registrar. He started his political career in Galicia in 1981, as a member of the right-wing Alianza Popular ("People's Alliance", AP) party in the Galician regional government.
A long-time collaborator of José María Aznar, he moved into national politics when Aznar became Prime Minister in 1996, serving as Minister of Education and Culture with the first Aznar administration. He managed the successful People's Party campaign in the 2000 elections. In February 2001 he added the Interior Ministry to his duties.
On 30 August 2003, after Aznar announced that he would retire at the 20042004 is a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 2004 calendar), and has also been designated the: International Year of Rice International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition Elections are to be held in 73 co elections, the People's Party elected Rajoy as its new leader. His record as Interior Minister enabled him to run as a "law and order" candidate promising to be tough on Basque terrorism. This issue was expected to assume new importance in the 2004 general elections in the wake of the terrorist attacks in MadridThis article is about the Spanish capital. For other entries, see Madrid (disambiguation). Coat of arms Madrid the capital of Spain, is located in the center of the country at 40°25'N, 3°45'W. As of 2003 census, population of the city of Madrid proper was on March 11March 11 is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). There are 295 days remaining. Events 1513 Leo X is elected pope. 1649 The Frondeurs (rebels) and the French government sign the Peace of Rueil. 1702 The first regular Engl, which were initially blamed on the BasqueThis article is about the Basque people. For the article of clothing, see basque (clothing). The Basques Euskaldunak are an indigenous people who inhabit parts of both Spain and France. They are found predominantly in four provinces in Spain and three in nationalist organisation ETAFor other meanings of ETA, see Eta. Euskadi Ta Askatasuna or ETA (the name means "Basque country and freedom"), is the name of a Basque paramilitary group that seeks to create an independent state for the Basque people, separate from neighboring Spain and (but were later proven to be the work of Al-Qaida).
Aznar's government and Party leaders insisted on accusing ETA of the attacks, in spite of the band's denial and of ocntradicting informations. On March 13March 13 is the 72nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (73rd in leap years). There are 293 days remaining. Events 483 St. Felix becomes Pope. 874 The bones of Saint Nicephorus are interred in the Church of the Apostles, Constantinople. 1138 Cardin, El Mundo newspaper published an interview in which Rajoy himself claimed to be convinced of ETA's responsibility on these crimes. The accusations of manipulation of the information regarding the 11 M, wrested popular support from Rajoy's party and led to the Socialist party's ( PSOE) victory in the 2004 elections.