José Antonio Alonso
José Antonio Alonso Suárez, (born 28 March 1960 in León, Spain) is a Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) politician.
A judge Alonso was elected to the Spanish Congress in 2004, representing León Province and was reelected in 2008.[1] He later served as spokesman for the PSOE Parliamentary Group. From 18 April 2004 to 7 April 2006 he was the minister of the interior in the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.[1] Described by his ministerial colleagues as a man "driven by his strong ideological beliefs and professionalism",[1] Zapatero is said to have chosen Alonso on the grounds that the latter would fight terrorism without compromising human rights.[1] Alonso served as the defence minister until 11 April 2008. Prior to his election he had been a critic of the People's Party's support for George W. Bush and their alleged politicisation of judicial bodies.[2]
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| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ángel Acebes |
Interior Minister of Spain 2004 - 2006 |
Succeeded by Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba |
| Preceded by José Bono |
Defence Minister of Spain 2006 - 2008 |
Succeeded by Carme Chacón |
| Preceded by Diego López Garrido |
Spokesman of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party in Parlament 2008 -–present |
Incumbent |
| Spanish Congress of Deputies | ||
| Preceded by Title jointly held |
Deputy for León province 2004 – Present |
Succeeded by Title jointly held |