Pedro Solbes

Pedro Solbes is an economist, and currently the Second Vice-President of Spain. During his term as European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Solbes was responsible for the initial introduction of the Euro. He was a presidential candidate in the 2008 Spanish Elections, but did not win.

1. 1968: Becomes civil servant in the Ministry of Foreign Trade
2. 1985: Appointed Secretary of State for Relations with the European Commission
3. 1993: Appointed Minister of Economics and Finance
4. September, 1999: Appointed European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs
5. January 1, 2002: Solbes leads the introduction of the Euro in 12 countries
6. April, 2004: Becomes Second Vice-President and Minister of Economy and Finance

Although the Euro existed as an accounting entity as early as 1999, it was not introduced as physical currency until January 1, 2002. As European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Solbes was responsible for organizing and administrating the first introduction of the Euro in 12 countries.

• Google News: Pedro Solbes
• International Herald Tribune: "Spain's Economy a Problem in Run-up to Elections" (February 22, 2008)
• Yahoo News: "Economy sets Agenda in Spanish Election" (February 20, 2008)
• Reuters: "Spain's Solbes says No Contact with France on EDF" (February 4, 2008)
• CNN Money: "Spain's Solbes Concerned About Possible Iberdrola Carve-up" (February 1, 2008)
• Forbes: "Spain's Solbes Sees GDP Growth Potential Closer to 3.5 pct" (January 14, 2008)
• Telegraph: "Euros 'Cause Spaniards to Tip too Much'" (December 17, 2007)
  • "I see people having a couple of coffees and calmly leaving a euro tip...that's 50 per cent of the value of the product."
• BBC News: "Spaniards Tip too Much" (December 16, 2007)
• Think Spain: "Solbes Predicts Interest Rate Fall" (September 10, 2007)