Carmen Calvo Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Most Excellent
Carmen Calvo
Office:74th President of the Council of State
Term Start:28 February 2024
Predecessor:Magdalena Valerio
Office1:First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain
Term Start1:7 June 2018
Alongside1:Nadia Calviño, Yolanda Díaz and Teresa Ribera
Monarch1:Felipe VI
Primeminister1:Pedro Sánchez
Predecessor1:Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría
Successor1:Nadia Calviño
Termend1:12 July 2021
Office2:Minister of the Presidency, Relations with the Cortes and Democratic Memory
Term Start2:13 January 2020
Termend2:12 July 2021
Primeminister2:Pedro Sánchez
Predecessor2:Herself (Presidency, Relations with the Cortes and Equality)
Office3:Minister of the Presidency, Relations with the Cortes and Equality
Term Start3:7 June 2018
Term End3:13 January 2020
Primeminister3:Pedro Sánchez
Predecessor3:Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría
Dolors Montserrat
Successor3:Herself (Presidency, Relations with the Cortes and Democratic Memory)
Irene Montero (Equality)
Office4:Minister of Culture
Term Start4:18 April 2004
Term End4:9 July 2007
Primeminister4:José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Predecessor4:Pilar del Castillo
Successor4:César Antonio Molina
Office5:Member of the Congress of Deputies
Term Start5:21 May 2019
Term End5:13 February 2024
Constituency5:Granada (since 2023)
Madrid (2019–2023)
Term Start6:1 April 2004
Term End6:27 September 2011
Constituency6:Córdoba
Office7:Member of the Parliament of Andalusia
Term Start7:12 March 2000
Term End7:14 March 2004
Constituency7:Córdoba
Birth Name:María del Carmen Calvo Poyato
Birth Date:9 June 1957
Birth Place:Cabra, Córdoba, Spain
Spouse:Manuel Pérez Yruela (divorced)
Children:2
Party:Spanish Socialist Workers Party

María del Carmen Calvo Poyato (born 9 June 1957) is a Spanish politician and author who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister of the Presidency from 2018 to 2021.

Born and raised in Cabra, Spain, she attended the University of Seville and the University of Córdoba; she holds a doctorate in constitutional law from the latter institution. She was Regional Minister of Culture of Andalusia between 1996 and 2004. She also served between 2004 and 2007 as Minister of Culture in the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. From June 2017 to October 2021, she served as Secretary of Equality of the Socialist Party. She has published several books about feminism and gender equality.

Early life and education

Calvo's primary studies were carried out at a Catholic school and her high school studies at the Aguilar and Eslava High School in the province of Córdoba. She studied law at the University of Seville and got her doctorate in constitutional law in the University of Córdoba.[1]

Calvo took a leave of absence from being professor of constitutional law at the University of Córdoba. At the university, she was Secretary General and vice-dean of the Faculty of Law between 1990 and 1994.[2] From 1992 to 1996 she was secretary of the Andalusian Interuniversity Institute of Criminology.[3]

Political career

Calvo entered politics in the 1990s, when she was appointed Counselor of the Economic and Social Council of Córdoba between 1994 and 1996. She joined the Socialist Workers' Party in 1999.

Regional Minister of Culture of Andalusia

In April 1996, Calvo was appointed Minister of Culture of the Regional Government of Andalusia under the presidency of Manuel Chaves. Having joined the Socialist Workers' Party in 1999, she was elected MP for Córdoba in the Parliament of Andalusia in 2000. She was in office between her appointment in 1996 until her appointment as Culture Minister of the Government of Spain.

During her eight-years-term as Regional Minister of Culture, Calvo inaugurated the Museo Picasso Málaga of contemporary art in 2003, she negotiated the Andalusian Pact for the Book —a pact for supporting and promoting of reading— and she carried out important investments to reform churches, libraries and theatres —like Maestranza Theatre of Seville— as well as developing the Quality Plan for the Museums of Andalusia —which included the enlargement of the Archelogic Museum of Córdoba.

In 2004 Calvo debuted in the big screen with director José Luis García Sánchez with a short role in the movie María querida.[4]

Minister of Culture

In January 2004, she made the leap to national politics when the Secretary-General of the Socialist Workers' Party, Zapatero, created a "committee of notables" to advise him on his run to the premiership and appointed her a member of that committee.[5] In the Spanish general election in March 2004, she was elected to the Congress of Deputies, representing Córdoba.[6] She was subsequently appointed Minister of Culture in April by the new Prime Minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.[7]

As Minister of Culture, Calvo was an outspoken opponent of copyright piracy, and in 2005 her department spent around one million euros on a campaign to educate the public about the importance of intellectual property.[8] However, she was criticised by music industry officials for her statement that intellectual property is "not an absolute right".[9] Her decision to transfer documents from the General Archive of the Spanish Civil War to the Autonomous community of Catalonia was controversial.[10]

Because of the bad results of the previous year in the Spanish cinema, in 2007 Calvo presented a draft law that forces the movie theaters to shown European films (at least a 25%). This was rejected by most of the film industry and they went to strike on 18 June 2007, a strike followed by a 93% of the industry.[11] Minister Calvo was replaced in July 2007 and her successor approved this law with big modifications in late 2007.

She was one of the ministers with worst approval ratings and was replaced in July 2007 by César Antonio Molina.[12]

First Vice President of the Congress

After leaving the Ministry, Calvo was elected First Vice President of the Congress of Deputies, a position she held until the end of the congressional session.[13]

In the 2008 general election, Calvo was re-elected MP for Córdoba and was appointed Chair of the Congress Committee on Equality, as well as becoming a member of the Congress Committee on Defence and Committee on Comprehensive Disability Policies. She also presided over two subcommittees, one on abortion and other about gender violence.[14]

Calvo did not run for re-election in the 2011 general election due to her disagreement with the choice to put Rosa Aguilar at the top of the electoral list in Córdoba. She returned to her post as professor of constitutional law in the University of Córdoba.[15] She later gained the confidence of Secretary-General of the Socialist Party Pedro Sánchez and in 2017 he appointed her Secretary for Equality of the Socialist Workers' Party.[16]

Deputy Prime Minister

On 5 June 2018 it was announced that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez would appoint Calvo as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidency, Relations with the Cortes and Equality. This was the first time that the Ministry of the Presidency also took the equality portfolio.[17] She was sworn in before the King at Palace of Zarzuela on 7 June 2018.[18]

During her term, Calvo focused on gender-based violence, especially in the wake of the La Manada rape case. In this so-called "wolf pack" case in which a group of men attacked an 18 year old woman, the Provincial Court of Navarre convicted the men of sexual abuse —nine years in prison— and not for sexual assault or rape —that would mean at least 20 years. The Court's decision provoked widespread social unrest.[19] [20] Calvo proposed a reform of the Criminal Code to include explicit sexual consent.[21] [22] [23] After appealing the sentence, the High Court of Justice of Navarre confirmed the sentence of the provincial court.[24]

In November 2018, Calvo also proposed to amend to the Constitution to exclude some words that can be considered offensive for disabled people and to create a constitutional mandate that specifically protects disabled women.[25] In October 2019, she was an outspoken proponent of exhuming the remains of Francisco Franco from Valle de los Caídos.[26]

On 13 January 2020 she was sworn in again as Deputy Prime Minister[27] [28] [29] and Minister of the Presidency in the Sánchez Second Cabinet, losing the Ministry of Equality in favor of Irene Montero.[30]

In June 2021, Calvo reaffirmed during an interview with La Vanguardia that the pardons of Catalonian independence politicians were near and asked the People's Party not to "confront Catalonia (because) the only alternative was normalizing relations and stop the tremendous confrontation provoked by independentism, the Spanish right and stabilize the situation".[31] [32] [33]

In 2022, a report was issued that claimed that President Sánchez offered Calvo the position of President of the Council of State after dismissing her as Vice President of the Government.[34]

Later career

When the Spanish parliament approved the creation of a sick leave for women suffering from incapacitating periods, becoming the first country in Europe to do so, Calvo notably was one of three PSOE lawmakers's who abstained from the vote in February 2023.[35]

Personal life

Calvo is the sister of the politician and writer, former MP of the Parliament of Andalusia and former Mayor of Cabra.

At the age of 19, she married her childhood sweetheart, with whom she had a daughter at the age of 22.[36] She and her daughter share a love for rock music.[37] Subsequently, she married sociologist Manuel Pérez Yruela, former spokesperson of the Regional Government of Andalusia and researcher professor of the Institute of Social Studies of Andalusia. They divorced.[38] She has two granddaughters.[36]

On 25 March 2020, Calvo tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized with a respiratory infection[39] during the first wave of the pandemic.[40] [41] [42] Público announced that Calvo had recovered from the illness in May 2020.[43]

She is a fan of bullfighting.[44]

Awards and honours

References

  1. Web site: El primer gobierno de Zapatero - Documentos elmundo.es. www.elmundo.es. 2018-12-15.
  2. News: Carmen Calvo. 2011-11-14. El País. 2018-12-15. es. 1134-6582. 14 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214140131/https://elpais.com/politica/2011/10/07/biografiaeldebate/1318009045_153771.html. dead.
  3. Web site: Carmen Calvo Poyato - PSOE. www.psoe.es. 2018-12-15.
  4. Web site: Carmen Calvo versus Rosa Aguilar: demasiado fuego para el Califato. Noticias de Andalucía. 2018-06-01. El Confidencial. es. 2018-12-15.
  5. News: Zapatero crea un "comité de notables" para asesorarle en su lucha por La Moncloa. AGENCIAS. 2004-01-08. El País. 2018-12-15. es. 1134-6582.
  6. News: Dos ministras del PP y dos consejeras socialistas se enfrentan en las generales. 2004-03-13. El País. 2018-12-15. es. 1134-6582.
  7. Web site: Deputy PM: "Surrogacy utilizes the bodies of the poorest women". Álvarez. Pilar. 2018-06-12. EL PAÍS. en. 2020-05-16.
  8. http://www.informativos.telecinco.es/pirateria/cultura/carmen-calvo/dn_17218.htm El Ministerio de Cultura se gasta un millón de euros contra la piratería
  9. http://www.lavanguardia.es/lv24h/20060713/51276519804.html Carmen Calvo advierte que la propiedad intelectual "no es un derecho absoluto"
  10. Web site: Carmen Calvo defiende el retorno de los. La Vanguardia. 2018-12-15.
  11. Web site: El 93% de las salas secunda el paro contra el anteproyecto de la ley del Cine elmundo.es. www.elmundo.es. 2018-12-15.
  12. Web site: Carmen Calvo vuelve a un Gobierno del PSOE, esta vez como vicepresidenta y ministra de Igualdad - EcoDiario.es. elEconomista.es. 2018-06-06. ecodiario.eleconomista.es. es. 2018-12-15.
  13. Web site: Carmen Calvo, al Congreso. 20Minutos. 2007-07-11. 20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias. es. 2018-12-15.
  14. Web site: Calvo Poyato, Carmen - 9th Congress of Deputies. Congress of Deputies.
  15. Web site: Carmen Calvo, la política que quiere constitucionalizar la igualdad de género. 2018-06-05. La Vanguardia. 2018-12-15.
  16. Web site: Sánchez quiere que Carmen Calvo sea secretaria de Igualdad en la Ejecutiva del PSOE. 2017-06-12. sevilla. es. 2018-12-15.
  17. Web site: Real Decreto 356/2018, de 6 de junio, por el que se nombra Vicepresidenta del Gobierno a doña María del Carmen Calvo Poyato.. 7 June 2018. 7 June 2018. Boletín Oficial del Estado. es.
  18. News: Los 17 del "Consejo de Ministras y Ministros" de Sánchez prometen ante el Rey . es . 7 June 2018 . 13 November 2019 . La Vanguardia.
  19. News: Spanish court upholds nine-year jail sentence for 'La Manada' gang. Doria. Javier Lorente. 2018-12-05. El País. 2018-12-15. en. 1134-6582.
  20. Web site: Tens of thousands protest in Spain over gang rape acquittal. 2018-04-29. France 24. en. 2018-12-15.
  21. News: Spain's deputy PM proposes "yes means yes" law for sexual assault cases. Álvarez. Pilar. 2018-07-10. El País. 2018-12-15. en. 1134-6582.
  22. Web site: Spain Proposes 'Yes Means Yes' Sexual Consent Law After Gang Rape of Teen. Garza. Frida. Jezebel. en-US. 2018-12-15.
  23. News: Outcry as Spanish court says rape not violent. Badcock. James. 2018-11-23. BBC News. 2018-12-15. en-GB.
  24. News: Spanish 'Wolf Pack' verdict upheld, prompting fresh protests. Jones. Sam. 2018-12-05. The Guardian. 2018-12-15. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  25. Web site: Carmen Calvo: "que nadie vuelva a llamar disminuido a una persona con discapacidad". Sánchez-Morate. Inma. 2018-11-20. Cadena SER. es. 2018-12-15.
  26. News: Spain exhumes dictator Francisco Franco after years of bitter controversy. Rolfe. Pamela. October 14, 2019. Washington Post. en. May 9, 2020.
  27. Web site: Real Decreto 4/2020, de 12 de enero, por el que se nombra Vicepresidenta Primera del Gobierno a doña María del Carmen Calvo Poyato.. 17 January 2020. 12 January 2020. Boletín Oficial del Estado. es.
  28. Web site: Toma de posesión de los ministros del Gobierno Sánchez Últimas noticias y reacciones, en directo. 17 January 2020. 13 January 2020. La Vanguardia. es.
  29. Web site: Real Decreto 8/2020, de 12 de enero, por el que se nombran Ministros del Gobierno.. 17 January 2020. 12 January 2020. Boletín Oficial del Estado. es.
  30. Web site: Carmen Calvo, vicepresidenta primera, la abanderada feminista heredera de los Omeyas. 17 January 2020. 10 January 2020. El Mundo. es.
  31. News: Carmen Calvo: "Los indultos están cerca y pido al PP que no se enfrente a Catalunya" . Carmen Calvo: "The pardons are close and I ask the PP not to confront Catalonia" . 13 June 2021 . . 13 June 2021. Spanish. subscription.
  32. News: EFE . Carmen Calvo, sobre los indultos: "Llegarán pronto a la mesa del Consejo de Ministros". Carmen Calvo, on the pardons: "They will soon arrive at the table of the Council of Ministers" . 13 June 2021 . Cadena SER . 13 June 2021 . Spanish.
  33. News: Thousands protest against Spain's possible pardons for jailed Catalan leaders . 13 June 2021 . Reuters . 13 June 2021.
  34. News: GAREA . Fernando . Pedro Sánchez ofreció a Carmen Calvo presidir el Consejo de Estado cuando dimitiera De la Vega . 14 October 2022 . El Español . 13 October 2022 . es.
  35. Nicolas Camut (16 February 2023), Spain approves paid menstrual leave, first country in Europe to do so Politico Europe.
  36. Web site: Carmen Calvo: "Soy feminista desde que tengo uso de razón". 2018-11-10. ELMUNDO. es. 2018-12-15.
  37. Web site: Vida nueva para Carmen Calvo. 2007-07-11. La Vanguardia. 2018-12-15.
  38. Web site: Carmen Calvo tiene planes de boda con su ex guardaespaldas. 20Minutos. 2007-07-08. 20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias. es. 2018-12-15.
  39. Nathan Allen and Inti Landauro (23 March 2020), Spain's deputy PM Carmen Calvo hospitalized with respiratory infection Reuters.
  40. Web site: Spain's Deputy PM Carmen Calvo tests positive for coronavirus. 2020-03-25. Reuters. 2020-03-25.
  41. News: Shields . Bevan . A massive disaster is unfolding in Spain . 26 March 2020 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 26 March 2020.
  42. News: Sills . Ben . Millan Lombrana . Laura . Spanish Doctors Are Forced to Choose Who to Let Die . 26 March 2020 . Bloomberg . 26 March 2020.
  43. Web site: Álvarez de Toledo pide la dimisión de Carmen Calvo: "Su negligencia se cuenta en millones de vidas rotas". www.publico.es. 2020-05-15.
  44. Web site: Carmen Calvo: "No tengo que pedir permiso ni perdón porque me gusten los toros" Toros elmundo.es. www.elmundo.es. 2018-12-15.
  45. Web site: Fiambreras de Plata Año 1998 - Ateneo de Córdoba. www.ateneodecordoba.com. 2018-12-15.
  46. Web site: Royal Decree 1078/2007, of July 27, which grants the Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Carlos III to Mrs. Carmen Calvo Poyato.. boe.es. 2018-12-15.
  47. Web site: Carmen Calvo recibe el título de Hija Predilecta de Cabra. Diario de Córdoba. Diario Córdoba. es. 2018-12-15.
  48. Web site: Premios Mujeres Progresistas 2017 Tribuna Feminista. Tribuna Feminista. www.tribunafeminista.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20180622164551/http://www.tribunafeminista.org/2017/10/premios-mujeres-progresistas-2017/. 2018-06-22. dead.
  49. Web site: Calvo afirma que la Constitución. 2018-12-01. La Vanguardia. 2018-12-15.
  50. Web site: PSE EUSKADI: Agenda: XII EDICIÓN PREMIOS RAMÓN RUBIAL. socialistasvascos.com. 2018-12-15.
  51. Web site: Jiménez . S. . 2022-03-07 . Calvo dedica el Premio 'Luisa de Medrano' a las mujeres de Ucrania que "no se doblan frente el tirano" . 2024-01-11 . PeriódicoCLM Noticias de Castilla-La Mancha - Diario Público . es.