Official Title
The Spanish head of government is known, in Spanish, as the Presidente del Gobierno de España. Literally translated, the title is "President of the Government of Spain" or alternatively "Chairman of the Government", but nevertheless the office-holder is commonly referred to in English as the "prime minister", the usual term for the head of government in a parliamentary system. However the Spanish for 'prime minister' is primer ministro; thus, for example, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the Primer Ministro del Reino Unido, not the Presidente del Gobierno.
In Spain the head of the government is often called simply Presidente, meaning 'President'. This sometimes causes confusion since it is the usual term for the head of government in a republic; former governor of Florida Jeb Bush once mistakenly referred to the "President of the Republic of Spain". 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 figure was known as Secretario de Estado ("Secretary of State"), a denomination used today for junior ministers.
Read more about this topic: Prime Minister Of Spain
Famous quotes containing the words official and/or title:
“There are few ironclad rules of diplomacy but to one there is no exception. When an official reports that talks were useful, it can safely be concluded that nothing was accomplished.”
—John Kenneth Galbraith (b. 1908)
“I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position. I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large, and I will help best by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and Foremost I am an entertainer but all I need is the Federal Credentials.”
—Elvis Presley (1935–1977)