Sánchez empowers María Jesús Montero and promotes her to first Vice President
In a reshuffle described by the Head of Government as a decisive move, a seasoned Spanish public administrator from Badajoz, born in 1980, is set to assume the role of Minister of Economy. Nadia Calviño is identified as the EU counterpart, while the presidency of the European Investment Bank (EIB) is anticipated to transition to a new leadership as part of the broader government realignment. The coordination of these shifts will be overseen by the incoming vice-president and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, who is stepping into a central role that connects national policy with European financial governance.
Body, regarded as Calviño’s closest trusted adviser, has long steered the Treasury with a steady hand. He has served as secretary general at the Ministry of Economy, steering Spain’s representation in key EU forums such as the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, the Eurogroup, and Ecofin meetings. His responsibilities extend to representing Spain in international bodies including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the G20, ensuring that the country’s fiscal and economic priorities are clearly communicated on the global stage.
In recent months, he has also played a central role in managing financial sector measures. Negotiations with banks to mitigate mortgage-related hardships highlighted his ability to coordinate policy responses that protect households and families while maintaining macroprudential safeguards. Additionally, he has overseen public debt management, ensuring that debt dynamics stay aligned with predefined goals. This balance between social protection and fiscal discipline is presented as a cornerstone of the government’s economic strategy.
The new Minister of Economy, who remains under Montero’s coordination, is expected to bring a blend of international experience and youthful energy to the portfolio. His recent tenure in Brussels is framed as a key asset for advancing planned reforms and the implementation of the Next Generation and recovery programs, along with the associated funding milestones. His career began with a formal training in economics and quickly expanded into roles that blend analysis, policy design, and global governance, positioning him to navigate the complex landscape of European fiscal policy.
Body joined the Board of Economists of the State of Spain in 2008 and later worked as an economic analyst at the General Directorate of Macroeconomic Analysis and International Economy within the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. In 2011, he moved to the European Commission as part of a service commitment dedicated to macroeconomic imbalance procedures, serving as a national expert within the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. There, he focused on monitoring and analyzing housing markets and private sector balance sheets, contributing to broader assessments of economic stability across member states.
After returning from Brussels, he served at Spain’s Independent Authority for Fiscal Responsibility (AIReF), where he was responsible for macroeconomic projections and the sustainability analysis of public debt. His academic credentials include a PhD in Economics from the Autonomous University of Madrid, a Master’s in Economics from the London School of Economics, and an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Extremadura. He has taught at multiple institutions, including the University of Extremadura, the Center for Economics and Business Research (CECO), the London School of Economics, and George Washington University, sharing insights with students and professionals alike. The blend of academic rigor, policy experience, and international exposure defines his approach as he prepares to lead Spain’s economic strategy in a time of notable fiscal and European policy evolution.