And a poll published by daily Publico Sunday showed that if national elections were held now, the Popular Party would win the race with 40.7 percent of the votes, while the ruling party would net only 39.2 percent.

Manuel Chaves is sworn in as the new regional cooperation minister in front of (R-L)Spanish Justice Minister Francisco Caamano, King Juan Carlos , Queen Sofia and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during a traditional ceremony at Zarzuela Palace April 7, 2009.[Xinhua]

Other cabinet changes

Former under general secretary of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party Jose Blanco was appointed new development minister to replace Magdalena Alvarez.

Manuel Chaves, governor of Andalucia region, will be third vice president in charge of territorial policies.

The new Education Minister will be Angel Gabilondo who will be also in charge of the universities, which before were under the Science and Innovations Ministry.

Former Interior Minister for Ibero-America, Trinidad Jimenez, will be minister of health and social policies to replace Benrat Soria.

The new culture minister will be Angeles Gonzalez-Sinde in replacement of Cesar Antonio Molina.

Zapatero agreed in November last year to create a Sports Ministry. Before it was officially established, Jaime Lissavetzky, as interior minister, will be in charge of sports.

The new cabinet kept the parity of nine women and nine men including Zapatero.

New Second deputy prime minister and Economy and Finance Minister Elena Salgado swears in in front of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (R) at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. Zapatero replaced his economy minister in a reshuffle seen as a bid to boost his government's flagging support amid Spain's worst recession in a generation.[Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2009)