Reforming the core executive to undermine the influence of the minister of Finance? A case study from Spain: The first Zapatero government (2004–08)

Abstract

Claims from the media and academic research suggest that during the first Zapatero government (2004–08), the Oficina Económica del Presidente (President’s Economic Office) played an activist role, not only in the development of its legal functions but also in the decision-making process related to economic policy. Given that the OEP was headed by individuals who had no political experience at the time they were appointed, and moreover were assisted by technical experts of the same background, this article intends to examine the extent to which this kind of reform of the core executive – seen as a product of presidentialization – undermined the influence of the minister of Finance.