José Enrique Serrano, former chief of staff to Felipe González and Zapatero, dies.
The PSOE recognizes him as a "servant of Spain and a socialist committed to the party's deepest values."
BarcelonaJosé Enrique Serrano, who was chief of staff to former Socialist presidents Felipe González and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, died this Tuesday at the age of 75. The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) recognized Serrano as "a servant of Spain and a socialist committed to the deepest values of this party." "This country will always be indebted to José Enrique Serrano," they stated on social media, as reported by Europa Press. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared that he was an "unrepeatable" person.
Born in Madrid in 1949, Serrano graduated in Labor Law from the Complutense University of Madrid, where he also served as Secretary General and professor. His public career also included serving as Director General of Personnel at the Ministry of Defense, Secretary General of the Vice-Presidency of the Government, and Deputy Director of the Cabinet of the President of the Government. He also served in Congress as a deputy for Madrid in the 10th Legislature, where he served as President of the Budget Committee, Vice-President of the Defense Committee, and as a member of the PSOE Provincial Council. Following the 2016 Spanish elections, Serrano joined the PSOE negotiating team for the investiture of the then-bankrupt president, Pedro Sánchez. In 2024, the Spanish government awarded Serrano the Medal of the Order of Constitutional Merit.
Other reactions
For his part, the PSOE spokesperson in Congress, Patxi López, also wrote on 'X' that "the socialism and democracy of our time are losing a unique and unparalleled role model." "His wisdom, his teachings, and his immeasurable knowledge will remain forever in our memories," he stressed.
"A gentleman and a teacher, in politics and in life. Farewell, José Enrique Serrano," lamented the Secretary of State for Relations with Parliament and Constitutional Affairs, Rafael Simancas, in a message on the social network 'X'. Serrano was chief of staff to former Socialist presidents Felipe González and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, also a close collaborator of Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, and an expert negotiator and mastermind of political pacts.
