Biography:

Born in Valencia on 15 June 1951, he is an economist and a specialist in regional autonomy matters.

He joined the PSOE in 1974.

He was President of the "Generalitat" of the Community of Valencia and of the Regional Secretariat of the party's Regional Federation.

He is also a member of the PSOE's Federal Executive Committee.

He was elected as a deputy in the parliamentary elections of 1979 and 1982, and was a member of the committee on industry and energy.

He was re-elected president in the regional autonomy elections of 1987 and 1990.

He was appointed minister for the public administrations of the Spanish Government on July 3rd., 1995.