Date:23/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/23/stories/2008052352491700.htm

International

A new first in Spain

Carme Chacon

Barcelona: She was supposed to be making her maiden appearance in the Spanish Parliament on Tuesday as the country’s first female Defence Minister. But instead, Ms. Carme Chacon made another first, becoming the first Minister in Spain to give birth while in office. The 37-year-old, who conducted a ministerial tour of Afghanistan just a few weeks ago, was not due to give birth for another three weeks. But after a routine check-up at a hospital on Monday, her doctors decided that the baby, her first, was ready to be born. The earlier than expected child, Miquel, weighed 2.8kg. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2008