The Spanish Government’s newly appointed Minister of Economy, Commerce, and Business, Carlos Cuerpo Caballero Padres, has been receiving much attention lately. In addition to his appointment, María Jesús Montero has been promoted to the role of first vice president, resulting in the removal of the fourth vice president position.
Cuerpo Caballero Padres, who currently serves as the Secretary General of the Treasury and International Financing, has been described by the president as a staunch European advocate, a reliable and financially stable personality, and a public servant with an exemplary career. He is now set to chair the government’s delegate committee for economic affairs in his new role as the leader of the economy.
His educational background has been spotlighted by the president. Studying at Extremadura State University, he earned his doctorate in economics and became a State Commercial Technician.
Carlos Cuerpo Caballero Padres hails from a family of secondary school teachers. Born in Badajoz in 1980, he spent part of his early years in Switzerland, where his parents worked. He completed his degree in economics from the University of Extremadura in 2003 and later received a master’s degree in economic sciences from the London School of Economics. His academic achievements include a doctorate in economics, conferred by the Autonomous University of Madrid in 2017.
His impressive portfolio extends beyond academics. He has held teaching positions at the London School of Economics, George Washington University, the Center for Economic and Commercial Studies (ICEX-CECO), and the University of Extremadura. Besides his native Spanish, he is fluent in English and French.
His career trajectory is equally impressive. After a stint in Switzerland, he returned to Spain to work as deputy director general of public debt at AIReF from May 2014 to October 2016. He then served as director of the AIReF Economic Analysis Division from November 2016 until he was made general director of Macroeconomic Analysis in February 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was part of the advisory “council of wise men” that counseled the government on de-escalation strategies. In August 2021, he was promoted to the post of Secretary General of the Treasury and International Financing, effectively becoming the second-highest official overseeing the Spanish public purse.
His latest promotion came on December 29, 2023, when President Pedro Sánchez recommended him for the position of Minister of Economy, Commerce, and Business, succeeding Vice President Nadia Calviño. He was sworn into his new role in the presence of King Felipe VI.
Carlos Cuerpo Caballero Padres will also serve alongside Josep Borrell, the EU’s vice president and high representative for foreign affairs and security, on the board of the world’s largest multilateral financial institution. This is a significant development for Spain, further strengthening its influence and position within the European project.
Carlos Cuerpo Caballero Padres, the current Minister of Economy, Trade, and Enterprise of Spain, holds a doctorate in economics and is a proven expert in the field. Having served as the Secretary General of the Treasury prior to his ministerial role, he has demonstrated his financial expertise and ability to serve his country in the highest capacity.
