Corcuera, José Luis

b. 1945, Burgos

   Politician

   An electrician by profession, Corcuera served as Minister of the Interior in the socialist PSOE government from 1988–93 and was the first minister in democratic Spain not to have a university degree. He became indelibly associated with a highly controversial security law, popularly known as the "Ley Corcuera". Although successfully piloted through parliament, the law attracted intense opposition and was referred to the Constitutional Tribunal. In 1993, the tribunal declared as unconstitutional certain provisions of the law, notably that allowing the police access to private homes without warrants. This decision forced Corcuera to resign from government in November 1993. In 1994, following a press campaign and the prosecution of a former governor of the Bank of Spain, Mariano Rubio, for fraud, Corcuera—together with Carlos Solchaga, Minister of the Economy 1985–93-resigned his seat in parliament over his failure to detect criminal irregularities.

   See also: corruption; politics

   PAUL HEYWOOD