Juan Manuel Eguiagaray
Juan Manuel Eguiagaray | |
|---|---|
| Born | Juan Manuel Eguiagaray Ucelay 25 December 1945 Bilbao, Spain |
| Died | 29 May 2025 (aged 79) |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, scholar, entrepreneur, politician |
| Years active | 1970–2006 (academia), 1991–1996 (ministerial) |
| Known for | Minister of Industry and Energy (1993–1996), Minister for Public Administration (1991–1993) |
Juan Manuel Eguiagaray Ucelay (25 December 1945 – 29 May 2025) was a distinguished Spanish economist, scholar, entrepreneur, and political figure. He held the position of Minister of Industry and Energy between 1993 and 1996.
Early life and education
Eguiagaray was born in Bilbao on 25 December 1945 into a Basque family. He completed his studies in economics and law at the University of Deusto and earned a doctorate in economics.
Career
Between 1970 and 1982, Eguiagaray served as an economics instructor at the University of Deusto. During the 1970s, he became involved in politics by joining the PSOE and eventually took a seat on its executive board. He was elected as a parliamentary representative for the Murcia electoral district in the Spanish Parliament. A significant moment in his political career was his role as a principal negotiator for the Spanish government during discussions with ETA in Algiers in 1989, acting as a trusted advisor to Interior Minister José Luis Corcuera.
In 1991, he was named Minister for Public Administration in Prime Minister Felipe González's third administration, succeeding Joaquín Almunia. He remained in this capacity until 1993, when he transitioned to become Minister for Industry and Energy following a cabinet reshuffle, taking over from Claudio Aranzadi. His ministerial tenure lasted until 1996, and he withdrew from political life in 2001.
After leaving politics, Eguiagaray resumed his academic career by teaching macroeconomics and applied economics as an associate professor at Carlos III University in Madrid until 2006. He also held the role of director at the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company until February 2013. Furthermore, he was appointed director of studies at the Madrid-based think tank Fundación Alternativas.
Death
Eguiagaray passed away on 29 May 2025 at the age of 79.