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Jose Calvo SoteloSpanish politician, lawyer, economist.
Date of Birth: 06.05.1893
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- José Calvo Sotelo: Spanish Politician, Lawyer, and Economist
- Political Beginnings
- Under the Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera
- Minister of Finance
José Calvo Sotelo: Spanish Politician, Lawyer, and Economist
Early Life and Academic CareerJosé Calvo Sotelo was born to a judge, Pedro Calvo y Camina, and Elisa Sotelo Lafuente. Due to his father's frequent job transfers, he spent his childhood and adolescence in various cities. Calvo Sotelo studied law at the University of Zaragoza and obtained his doctorate in 1917 from the Central University of Madrid with a dissertation on the abuse of law. This work, the first of its kind in Spain, was later cited by the Supreme Court in 1942.
During his university years, Calvo Sotelo was an active member of the Catholic publication El Noticiero and founded a short-lived student journal. He also contributed to Vida Ciudadana, a mouthpiece of the "Mauristas," supporters of conservative politician Antonio Maura.
Political Beginnings
In 1915, Calvo Sotelo joined the Ministry of Justice as a civil servant. He became a lawyer in 1916 and taught at the Central University from 1917 to 1920. In 1918, he served as Maura's secretary during his premiership, gaining experience in local government reform. In 1919, Calvo Sotelo was elected to the Cortes (parliament), where he criticized regional leaders (caciques) for their excessive independence.
Under the Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera
With the advent of General Miguel Primo de Rivera's military coup in 1923, Calvo Sotelo accepted the position of Director-General of Administration. He played a key role in drafting the Municipal Charter (1924), granting voting rights to women who were employed or heads of households. Calvo Sotelo advocated for universal female suffrage but faced resistance from military authorities.
In 1925, the Provincial Charter was promulgated, limiting the power of governors and expanding local authorities. Calvo Sotelo's concept of "regions" was included despite skepticism from Primo de Rivera, who favored a unitary state. According to Calvo Sotelo, however, voluntary associations of municipalities would reduce separatist sentiments in Spain.
Minister of Finance
Appointed Minister of Finance in December 1925, Calvo Sotelo introduced measures to combat tax evasion. This effort drew criticism from landowners, who labeled him a "Bolshevik minister." Nonetheless, the government increased the land tax on large estates, resulting in increased budget revenues.
Calvo Sotelo proposed a tax reform in 1927, advocating for progressive taxation on income and rent. Resistance from opponents prevented him from implementing most reforms, but he simplified tax collection and improved the tax inspectorate.
