Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba 1951-2019

The Socialist International is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, former leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, PSOE, the SI’s member party in Spain.

Alfredo Rubalcaba studied chemistry in Madrid, becoming a professor, and later entered the political field. In 1986 he became Minister of Education and in 1992 Minister of Education and Science, under Felipe González. He held a number of ministerial roles in the following  years and between 21 October 2010 and 12 July 2011 was Vice-President of the Spanish government. Deeply committed to socialist principles, Alfredo Rubalcaba achieved many advances during his time in government, including promoting better and more equal educational laws for all, and later contributing to the permanent ceasefire with ETA in January 2011. Rubalcaba was elected Secretary General of the PSOE in February 2012, a role he held until July 2014.

The Socialist International extends its heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Alfredo Rubalcaba's family and to his friends and comrades in the PSOE at this painful time. Rubalcaba's memory will remain a significant part of Spanish socialist history and he will long be fondly remembered by us all.

 

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Message from the PSOE

 

Dear comrades of the socialist family:

From PSOE, we want to share with you the profound sorrow we feel for the sudden death of our colleague Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba.

Doctor in Chemical Sciences, Alfredo has been everything in Spanish politics: several times MP at the Spanish parliament, minister of Education, minister of the Presidency, minister of Home Affairs, spokesman of the Government, vice-president of the Government and leader of PSOE.

Alfredo is an example and reference for politicians of all kinds. His moderation, his humanity and his statesmanship characterized his way of understanding politics.

Among his many achievements at the socialist governments of Felipe González and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, his promotion of education laws — aware of the importance of quality public education accessible to all in order to guarantee equal opportunities for everyone— stands out. His tireless determination, in very difficult circumstances, in the fight against the terrorist group ETA, which led to the definitive end of its terrorist activities in 2011, will also be remembered.

We cannot understand today’s Spain without Alfredo.

Rest in peace.