Carlos Cuerpo knew he was the one chosen before 5:15 p.m. this Thursday. He had told him that he was going to be his first vice president, the most powerful figure in the Executive and the one that everyone was making pools about. Pedro Sánchez informed him in his office in advance, before 5:15 p.m. because, at that time—the president’s announcement to all of Spain came an hour later—Corpo called Manuela Caballero, his mother, who was at home.
—Mom, they make me vice president.
—Oh, son, I am very proud.
Manuela Caballero tells this conversation from a corner of the Ministry of Finance, where this morning she went to see her son take possession of his new portfolio: the first vice presidency of the Government. That is, when Sánchez is traveling, Manuela’s son is in charge. His nephews, uncles and his only brother, Gregorio, 48, also from Badajoz and a surgeon, have also come here. Body’s concern this Thursday afternoon—it’s not easy being vice president—was that his brother would find out about his new position before he did, but Gregorio was in the green jumpsuit in the operating room. “I saw it later in the family chat,” he says proudly. “He said: ‘They make me vice president.’” And the whole family answered instantly. Manuela, the mother, 71 years old, spent the entire afternoon saying: “Oh, son, I still don’t believe it.”
Extremadura has not had so much power in Spain since Charles IV, with Manuel Godoy in the late 1700s. So much so that regional newspapers and television stations have boasted about it all morning on their front pages. “A man from Extremadura will be number two in the Government of Spain from today,” headlined Canal Extremadura. “”, said the newspaper. “The Government enters the Body to Body,” said journalist Matías Vallés.
Body – the most valued minister, according to the CIS – has arrived smiling, in a suit, and with his now famous black rimmed glasses at the Ministry of Finance. It has been a morning of joy, contained emotion and conflicting headlines. The Valencian Arcadi España has arrived smiling and surrounded by Valencians. Let’s see, to Spain – the conflicting headlines begin – his aunts have come: Cristina and María Jesús. Her mother, Carmina, was not able to attend this morning from Valencia, but she was the first to find out about her new task. Spain warned – it is not only the headline, but now also the phrases – to its people on the family WhatsApp, just before Sánchez came out in Moncloa and said: “Arcadi España, new Minister of Finance.”
Who knows if I was thinking about the headline that will appear when Spain, the new Minister of Finance, calls the Minister of Finance of Andalusia, from the PP, whose name is: Carolina España. Come on, Spain calls Spain.
Up to six ministers attended the farewell of María Jesús Montero – emotional throughout the morning. The spokesperson for the Executive, Elma Saiz; the head of Justice, Félix Bolaños; that of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; that of Housing, Isabel Rodríguez; that of the Digital Transition, Óscar López; and Science, Diana Morant. She has not stopped smiling when she knows that she has the countryman of Spain in the Executive in a ceremony with a wide representation of the Valencian socialists.
There was also the Government delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, who commented in a group that she had cut her hair, or the former minister and current spokesperson for the PSOE in the Madrid City Council, Reyes Maroto. And even the president of Red Eléctrica, Beatriz Corredor. Suddenly, yes, there was silence.
The six ministers have stood greeting the new ones. “Vice, what’s going on?” López told Body. After a long hug with Marlaska, María Jesús Montero spoke: “Politics is a relay race […] I want to convey that, for me, politics is the noblest activity that human beings can develop. These years have allowed me to be wiser and a better person.” Along the way, he complimented the new ones: “Arcadi gives me security and hope […] I have the most absolute confidence in Corps.”
Spain – it is not easy, at least this Friday – has picked up the gauntlet of its predecessor and has said that the responsibility of the Treasury is different from the rest. “There is a phrase that summarizes the position: Not at first; we view it with affection.” And with humor he has pulled back: “Of course, Budgets. First you said ‘Ouch’ [en referencia a las palabras de Montero en una entrevista este lunes en Hora 25 de la cadena SER]. And, then, ‘there will be a person to replace me.’ For now, I’ll stick with ‘Ouch’.”
After Spain, it was the turn of Body, which remembered the Extremaduran writer Luis Landero to summarize his professional career. “There are many trusts that have trusted me.” He said the first advice that President Sánchez gave him when he called him: “Keep being yourself.” And some memories that his grandfather, a miner, left handwritten. “My mother and I went to the mountains to get loads of rockrose. We brought 14 pesetas. Like that, every day.”
Without embellishments, without complaints, without adjectives, Corpus recalled. “And that’s where I come from. It’s not just my story. This is the story of many families. A country’s pride.” The ministers have applauded and kissed Montero a lot, who is already embarking on her way to Seville as a candidate for the Andalusian elections next May. And, from a corner, Body’s mother smiled, excited, to later give her son a kiss. Not so his brother Gregorio, who has chosen to wait for everyone to leave to give him a big hug and a few pats on the back for two, maybe three seconds. Without speaking. There was no need for anything else. Between brothers, sometimes, everything is said.
