Juan Ignacio Zoido

Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez (pronounced [xwaniɣ'naθjo 'θojðo]; born 21 January 1957) is a Spanish former judge and politician of the People's Party, who has been serving as Member of the European Parliament since 2019. In Parliament, he has since been serving on the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.

Zoido was the Minister of the Interior between November 2016 and June 2018, when a vote of no-confidence against Mariano Rajoy ousted the government. He has previously been Mayor of Seville from 2011 to 2015, Member of the Parliament of Andalusia from 2008 to 2014 and Chairman of the People's Party of Andalusia from 2012 to 2014.

Early years and education

Juan Ignacio Zoido was born in Montellano, Seville, and grew up in Fregenal de la Sierra, where his father owned a bakery. He started his law studies in the University of Almeria and graduated in 1979 in the University of Seville. After completing his studies, Zoido did his military service in Cerro Muriano, serving as a bodyguard for several generals.

Career in civil service

Zoido passed the Judiciary competitive examinations in 1983 and was first posted as First Instance and Inquiry Judge of the Arrecife District in Lanzarote. A year later he was promoted and posted as First Instance and Inquiry Judge in the Utrera district. In 1987 he is promoted to magistrate and posted to San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Tenerife) as titular Judge of the 3rd Court of First Instance and Inquiry of that district. He returned to Andalucía in 1987 being posted a titular judge of the 7th Court of First Instance (family affairs) of Seville, in 1989 he changed his court to the 7th Criminal Court of the same district. In 1992 he is named Dean Juadge of Seville position where he remained until 1996.