BIOGRAPHY: Born in Bilbao on December25th, 1945, he holds a doctorate in law and a degree in economics from the University of Deusto. He holds a diploma in advanced studies from the University of Nancy and is a lecturer in economic strusture and policy, on leave of absence, at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Deusto.

He joined the PSE.PSOE in 1977.

He was a city councillor for Bilbao in 1979, a provincial deputy for Vizcaya, 1979.1981, a member of the Juntas Generales ,regional government, of Vizcaya, 1979.1981, a deputy and spokesman for the socialist group in the Basque Parliament, 1980.1988, a member, since 1979, of the executive committee of the PSE.PSOE and deputy secretary general of the Basque socialists from 1985 to 1988.

From September 1988 to December 1989 he was government delegate in the Autonomous Community of Murcia and subsequently, government delegate in the autonomous community of the Basque country.

At the 32nd PSOE Congress, held in November 1990, he was elected executive secretary of the party federal executive committee.

On March 12th, 1991, he was appointed minister for the public administrations, and on July 14th 1993, took charge of the Ministry of Industry and Energy.

He is married and has one son.