Spain: Elena Espinosa is Minister of Rural, Marine and Natural Environment in the new government

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who was elected government president at second investiture ballot last April 12nd, has confirmed the make-up of his new cabinet the following day.

Only four previous ministers have dropped out of the cabinet - Jesús Caldera (Employment and Social Affairs), Cristina Narbona (Environment), Joan Clos (Industry) and José Antonio Alonso (Defence).

Eleven ministers continue in their posts, though there is some doubt about the future of Interior minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, who, being a trained chemist, is keen to head up Innovation, one of two new ministries created - the other being Equality.

There will be no Environment ministry with these responsibilities now falling within the remit of incumbent Agriculture minister, Elena Espinosa.  The new Ministry of Rural, Marine and Natural Environment, is a fusion of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) and the Ministry of the Environment, and will take charge also of sea protection issue that belonged to the Ministry of Development.