The Central Government and the political class in general yesterday dismissed Pedro Solbes (Pinoso, 1942), former vice-president of the Executive with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who died this Saturday at the age of 80. With a long political career that began in the PSOE as Secretary General of Economy and Finance at the time of Miguel Boyer, Solbes is remembered as one of the main architects of the transition to the euro and for being in charge of the Spanish economy during the financial crisis and the real estate bubble of 2008. His disagreements with Zapatero for leading that critical situation precipitated the exit of the government, which he left in 2009.
President Pedro Sánchez and other members of the Executive, as well as Rodríguez Zapatero, approached the burning chapel at the La Paz Funeral Home (Alcobendas) yesterday. The Federal Executive Commission of the PSOE and the Federal Committee expressed their sadness at the death. "The socialist family wants to convey its affection and esteem to the family and its loved ones, as well as to remember his exemplary career in the service of Spain and the institutions", they expressed from the socialist party. Sánchez lamented the death and defined Solbes as "a statesman" committed to social democratic values and the European project. In a statement, Zapatero emphasized the "seriousness, rigor, reliability and honesty", which, in his opinion, characterized the member of his cabinet. The leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, called it "one of the main socialist values for decades".
Before assuming the portfolio of Economy during Zapatero's first mandate, Solbes served as Secretary of State for the European Communities and was appointed Minister of Agriculture in 1991 under the presidency of Felipe González. Two years later he was put in charge of the Ministry of Economy and Finance for the first time, a responsibility he held until 1996. Between 1999 and 2004 he held the position of European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs. Polyglot and defender of economic orthodoxy, he leaves a wife and three children.
