Santiago Lanzuela developed an extensive career in public life in Aragon, holding positions of high responsibility, including the presidency of the Autonomous Community and seats in the Senate and Congress. Citing his distinguished political career, the Spanish government has decided to pay tribute to both Lanzuela and Emilio Eiroa, the late former President of Aragon, by posthumously awarding them the Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III. to lend. This decision was adopted during the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, December 23rd and, according to the media El Paí, was made official with its publication in the State Gazette on Wednesday, December 24th.
The Order of Charles III, which has had a civilian character since the mid-19th century and was founded by Charles III. According to El País, the award was launched to honor those who have shown exemplary commitment to Spain and the crown. As the second-highest cross in the range of state awards, the Great Cross stands just below the necklace, which is usually reserved only for members of the royal family and high-ranking foreign leaders such as heads of state and government.
Emilio Eiroa, born in Vegadeo in 1935, was the third regional president of Aragon between 1991 and 1993, taking office after the resignation of Hipólito Gómez de las Roces. During his term, according to El País, he experienced the PSOE’s motion of no confidence, which was successful thanks to the vote of parliamentarian Emilio Gomáriz. In addition to his work as president, Eiroa contributed to the founding of the Aragonese Party (PAR) and actively participated in various institutional frameworks for decades. He was a councilor in Zaragoza, regional deputy, appointed senator of the Autonomous Community and headed the Parliament of Aragon from 1995 to 1999. El País recalled that Eiroa died of angina pectoris on March 10, 2013, at the age of 77.
According to El País, Santiago Lanzuela, a native of Cella (Teruel) and a graduate in economics, was minister of economy in the regional governments under Gómez de las Roces and Eiroa. He then took over the presidency of the Aragonese executive between 1995 and 1999. At the end of this term, he was appointed regional senator and represented Teruel in the Congress of Deputies between 2000 and 2014. According to El País, Lanzuela died on April 16, 2020, a victim of COVID-19.
Both former presidents have advanced policies and proposals at various levels of public administration throughout their careers. Eiroa, one of the key figures of the PAR, shaped both the institutional development of the party and the consolidation of Aragonese self-government, explained El País. Lanzuela, a member of the Popular Party, was linked to the Aragonese economy and the national projection of regional issues, first through the autonomous executive and later through the Cortes Generales.
The awarding of the Grand Cross of Charles III. is part of a series of state recognitions designed to highlight commitment and service to citizens and democratic institutions. The recognition of Eiroa and Lanzuela is part of the tradition of honoring those who have contributed to Spanish public life through institutional work, as El País reports. This order, which dates back to 1847 in its civilian version, has historically rewarded integrity and commitment to the collective benefit and stability of the state.
The publication of the concession in the state gazette confirms the official nature of these recognitions according to the government decision. According to El País, the process follows the framework established for major awards in Spain, which reflects the state’s desire to honor the memory and legacy of those who have held prominent positions in the regional and national structure.
The careers of Eiroa and Lanzuela, reported by El País, illustrate the role of regional presidents in Aragon’s recent history and their influence on the country’s political development. With the posthumous award of the Grand Cross of Charles III. The government recognizes his contribution to the institutional consolidation of Aragon and to strengthening democratic coexistence.
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