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===Principal Government Officials===
===Principal Government Officials===
[[File:Barack Obama and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.jpg|thumb|[[Barack Obama]] and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.]]
*Chief of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces--King Juan Carlos I
*Chief of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces--King Juan Carlos I
*President of the Government (Prime Minister)-- [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero]]
*President of the Government (Prime Minister)-- [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero]]
===Foreign Relations===
===Foreign Relations===
After the return of democracy following the death of General Franco in 1975, Spain's foreign policy priorities were to break out of the diplomatic isolation of the Franco years and expand diplomatic relations, enter the European Community, and define security relations with the West.
After the return of democracy following the death of General Franco in 1975, Spain's foreign policy priorities were to break out of the diplomatic isolation of the Franco years and expand diplomatic relations, enter the European Community, and define security relations with the West.
[[File:Monumento a Alfonso XII parque del Buen Retiro.jpg|thumb|270px|Monument to Alfonso XII, Madrid.]]
[[File:Monumento a Alfonso XII parque del Buen Retiro.jpg|thumb|left|270px|Monument to Alfonso XII, Madrid.]]
As a member of NATO since 1982, Spain has established itself as a major participant in multilateral international security activities. Spain's EU membership represents an important part of its foreign policy. Even on many international issues beyond Western Europe, Spain prefers to coordinate its efforts with its EU partners through the European political cooperation mechanism.
As a member of NATO since 1982, Spain has established itself as a major participant in multilateral international security activities. Spain's EU membership represents an important part of its foreign policy. Even on many international issues beyond Western Europe, Spain prefers to coordinate its efforts with its EU partners through the European political cooperation mechanism.