Spain's Preggo Defense Minister

Madeline Holler — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:01:00 GMT

Do you ever get the feeling that the whole world is leaving the U.S. behind? Oh, only everyday? Good, then I'm not alone.

Here's what's got me all in a knot today: Spain's Minister of Defense is seven months pregant -- and, in general, that's pretty OK with the country (if not somewhat surprising).

Carmen Chacon, 37 (God, I know ... what am I doing with my life?), was recently appointed defense minister, adding her to socialist prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's cabinet, which, in his second term, now includes more women than men.

Sure, some in the conservative military are like, "what the hell? A pregnant woman?!!!" Others see her as a symbol not only of the Socialist Party's ideal of gender equality but also of a more humanitarian armed forces. True, Chacon lacks military training. But she's a leader in a country where half the citizens want to pull out of Afghanistan and put the military to work on humanitarian missions.

Here are a few other mind-boggling (for this weary American) changes the prime minister has made:

In his first term, he passed a sweeping law against domestic violence, legalized gay marriage, eased divorce laws, and required political parties to practice gender parity. He also appointed equal numbers of men and women to cabinet positions, and named María Teresa Fernández de la Vega as his deputy prime minister.

Now the big question is whether Chacon will take the full 16 weeks (here's the math: FOUR MONTHS) of maternity paid (!!!!) leave guaranteed her by national law. Most think it's doubtful, but that her situation now highlights the need to up paternity leave, which is now only (only!) 15 days for men.

Photo: Time.com

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Spain's Preggo Defense Minister