Gaspar Llamazares was the leader of the leftist coalition United Left from 2001 to 2008, as the General Coordinator.
12 Facts About Gaspar Llamazares
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Gaspar Llamazares studied medicine in the Autonomous University of Madrid and in the University of Oviedo, where he received his degree.
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Gaspar Llamazares then completed his studies with a Masters in Public Health in the University of Havana, in Cuba.
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Gaspar Llamazares was elected deputy in the Spanish Congress for the constituency of Asturias in the 2000 General Elections.
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Gaspar Llamazares was re-elected General Coordinator in the seventh Federal Assembly of IU held in December 2003, being opposed by Luis Carlos Rejon, then Deputy for Cordoba, who was backed by several regional minorities, along with the new leftist faction "Espacio Alternativo", and Juan Manuel Sanchez Gordillo Mayor of Marinaleda, Seville, who was supported by the more radical factions of IU.
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Gaspar Llamazares obtained a clear majority and was appointed Prime Ministerial candidate.
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That led to Gaspar Llamazares to call for an Extraordinary Assembly.
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Gaspar Llamazares won 54 seats, while Santiago won 42, and Martin Recio 14.
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In May 2007, prior to the Municipal Elections, Gaspar Llamazares Became the first national political leader to campaign through Second Life.
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In July 2007, Gaspar Llamazares announced he will intend to run once more as candidate for prime minister, a decision that caused several controversies inside the organization, specially amongst the Communist Party of Spain, and other sectors considered to be on the left of IU, along with that it was announced that the upcoming general assembly will be postponed to after the General Election, scheduled for March 2008.
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In March 2008, in the immediate aftermath of IU's worst-ever General Election results, Gaspar Llamazares announced his intention not to seek re-election to the leadership of IU, finally resigning on 25 October 2008, three weeks before the 9th Federal Assembly of IU that will elect his successor.
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Spanish newspaper El Mundo revealed that a picture of Gaspar Llamazares was taken from Google Images, and his hair and facial stubble was used to create the image.