New (Pregnant) Defence Minister

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Women dominate Spain's new cabinet 

The cabinet of Spain's re-elected socialist government was sworn in on Monday with women forming a majority for the first time.

José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Prime Minister, consolidated his position as an avowed feminist with a round of new appointments stating: "I feel very proud that there are more women ministers than men."

The nine women in the 17-strong cabinet include Carme Chacon, 37, who is seven months pregnant and Spain's first female defence minister.

She immediately pledged to boost the number of women in Spain's armed forces, which first allowed female members in 1988.

"The fact that a woman has taken over the defence ministry shows that Spanish society has identified with the armed forces," said Mrs Chacon.

She said she would "improve the preparation and motivation" of the armed forces, and ensure that troops on international missions "defend peace and the respect of international law".

Mrs Chacon was first elected to parliament in 2000, and chosen as vice-president of the Congress of Deputies four years later before being elevated to the cabinet last July as housing minister.

Mr Zapatero, who has vowed to make gender equality one of the hallmarks of his second four-year term, has created a new equality ministry, to be headed by Bibiana Aido, 31, the youngest minister in Spain's history.

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Comments

Jose Luis said…
I think it´s a good advantage for the equality in our society. But I think the Goverment have to elect people for their important acts and their prestige in the society, and not for their sex. We can have only 17 women ministers, or only 17 men ministers in the Goverment if they are the best in their responsabilities. For example, I don´t think Bibiana Aido (31 years old) is the best person for a Ministry.
Tuesday, 22 April, 2008
Graham said…
"I think THIS IS A STEP FORWARD for EQUALITY in our society. But I think the Goverment HAS to CHOOSE (1) people for their EXPERIENCE and their prestige IN SOCIETY, and not BECAUSE OF (2) their sex."

"THE 17 MINISTERS THAT MAKE UP (3) THE CABINET CAN BE ALL MALE OR ALL FEMALE; IT DOESN'T MATTER. WHAT DOES MATTER (4) IS IF THEY ARE THE BEST ONES TO HOLD SUCH A POSTION (5)"

"TAKE BIBIANA AIDO FOR EXAMPLE(6); I don´t think, THAT AT 31 YEARS OLD, SHE is the best person TO BE IN CHARGE OF (7) A Ministry."


I've changed quite a bit of what you have written. That doesn't mean that it was seriously wrong; just that I feel it was a better way to express things.

(1)the most common way to translate "elegir" is "choose"; though you can use "select" in this context too.
Remember that voters ELECT a government.

(2)"because of" is an alternative to "for". We use it "+ nouns".

(3)"make up" here is like "consists of"; eg My English class is made up of three Italians, six Spaniards and a Frenchman.

(4) Notice the use of "does" here in a positive sentence; we use it to give emphasis.

(5)Notice we use " such (a)" with nouns and "so" with adjectives on their own.
eg It was such a sunny day/ It was so sunny.

(6)"take ..... for example" is a more informal expression
Ministers SUCH AS Bibiana Aido is a more formal way to give examples.

(7)"el responsable" is the person in charge of something.
Tuesday, 22 April, 2008
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