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Spanish astronaut Pedro Duque joins government as science minister Spanish astronaut Pedro Duque joins government as science minister
(35 minutes later)
Spain's first astronaut, Pedro Duque, has been named minister of science by the country's new Socialist government.Spain's first astronaut, Pedro Duque, has been named minister of science by the country's new Socialist government.
Prime Minister and self-labelled feminist Pedro Sánchez is expected to appoint a women-majority cabinet, in contrast to the male-dominated executives of ousted PM Mariano Rajoy.Prime Minister and self-labelled feminist Pedro Sánchez is expected to appoint a women-majority cabinet, in contrast to the male-dominated executives of ousted PM Mariano Rajoy.
Women will take the deputy premiership, and the economy and finance portfolios. Women have got some of the key posts, including the defence, economy, finance and education portfolios, reports say.
Mr Duque, 55, last went to space in 2003 as part of an International Space Station (ISS) mission. Mr Sánchez's deputy, Carmen Calvo, will run a reinstated equality ministry.
His choice of party colleagues and experienced figures from outside politics is being described in Spain as a "feminist cabinet".
While the official list was being announced on Wednesday evening, key names emerged earlier in Spanish media. They include:
One of the stand-out names was ex-astronaut Pedro Duque, 55, who last went to space in 2003 as part of an International Space Station (ISS) mission.
An aeronautical engineer with three children, he is reportedly prone to quoting the late British science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke.An aeronautical engineer with three children, he is reportedly prone to quoting the late British science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke.
Mr Duque was selected by the European Space Agency's astronaut corps in 1992 and travelled to space for the first time in 1998, when he joined Nasa's STS-95 mission from Cape Canaveral. Mr Duque served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the nine-day mission.Mr Duque was selected by the European Space Agency's astronaut corps in 1992 and travelled to space for the first time in 1998, when he joined Nasa's STS-95 mission from Cape Canaveral. Mr Duque served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the nine-day mission.
He and three other STS-95 crew members were awarded the Princess of Asturias Award for international cooperation in 1999, which called them "the architects of the pacific exploration of the universe".He and three other STS-95 crew members were awarded the Princess of Asturias Award for international cooperation in 1999, which called them "the architects of the pacific exploration of the universe".
In 2003, he took part in the 10-day Cervantes ISS mission as a flight engineer on the Russian Soyuz-TMA.In 2003, he took part in the 10-day Cervantes ISS mission as a flight engineer on the Russian Soyuz-TMA.
From 2011 he headed the ESA's Flight Operations Office in Munich, Germany, and in 2015 "returned to astronaut duties and full flight status", according to a profile on the ESA website. His official title will be minister of science, innovation and universities, reports say.
His official title will be minister of science, innovation and universities, El País newspaper reports.
Mr Sánchez has not officially announced the full cabinet but key names have been widely reported by Spanish media. They include:
Only a handful of countries have governments where at least 50% of ministers are women. They include France, Sweden and Canada.Only a handful of countries have governments where at least 50% of ministers are women. They include France, Sweden and Canada.
New PM looks beyond party for talentNew PM looks beyond party for talent
By James Badcock, MadridBy James Badcock, Madrid
Pedro Sánchez promised his government would be "Socialist and have gender parity". In fact, the government is not entirely Socialist because of its strong technocratic core, and so far women are commanding a majority.Pedro Sánchez promised his government would be "Socialist and have gender parity". In fact, the government is not entirely Socialist because of its strong technocratic core, and so far women are commanding a majority.
Given that Mr Sánchez has promised to call elections in less than two years and that he has inherited the outgoing government's budget for 2018, he is looking for a formula that will give him victory at the polls. He may have only 84 seats out of 350 and will struggle to pass reforms, but he hopes to at least dangle enticing plans before Spanish voters.Given that Mr Sánchez has promised to call elections in less than two years and that he has inherited the outgoing government's budget for 2018, he is looking for a formula that will give him victory at the polls. He may have only 84 seats out of 350 and will struggle to pass reforms, but he hopes to at least dangle enticing plans before Spanish voters.
He has made a point of sourcing talent from outside his party as well as within. The women in his cabinet include a climate change treaty negotiator, a top Eurocrat and Spain's top anti-terror prosecutor.He has made a point of sourcing talent from outside his party as well as within. The women in his cabinet include a climate change treaty negotiator, a top Eurocrat and Spain's top anti-terror prosecutor.
Conservative Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy, who took office in 2011, was ousted as PM last week after losing a no-confidence motion in parliament.Conservative Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy, who took office in 2011, was ousted as PM last week after losing a no-confidence motion in parliament.
Mr Sánchez won the support of six other parties to remove Mr Rajoy over a massive corruption scandal. His party only has a quarter of the seats in parliament.Mr Sánchez won the support of six other parties to remove Mr Rajoy over a massive corruption scandal. His party only has a quarter of the seats in parliament.
On Wednesday, Mr Rajoy, 63, said he planned to leave the political scene, saying "there are other things to do in life than dedicate oneself to politics".On Wednesday, Mr Rajoy, 63, said he planned to leave the political scene, saying "there are other things to do in life than dedicate oneself to politics".
He added: "I had an enormously intense political life and I think it makes no sense to stay longer here."He added: "I had an enormously intense political life and I think it makes no sense to stay longer here."