José María Álvarez del Manzano
José María Álvarez del Manzano y López del Hierro (born 17 October 1937)[1] is a Spanish politician for the People's Party. Although born in Seville he has lived in Madrid since he was 3 years old. He studied at the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Recuerdo. He became the Mayor of Madrid in 1991, a position that he held until 2003. He chaired the board of IFEMA (Institute for Exhibitions and Fairs Madrid) for 24 years, until 2015.[2] He is married to María Eulalia Miró Ramírez and has four children: José, María, Marta, and Mónica.
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Under his government the idea of the nomination of Madrid as host city for the 2012 Olympic Games was launched. 28 tunnels were built crossing the city from below.[3] His government left both many trenches as well as many unresolved problems such as street prostitution, traffic chaos and rising housing prices.[3] He was also remembered by his affection towards folklore and casticismo.[3]
References
- Martínez Ahrens, Jan (11 June 1999). ""Yo hago túneles para las personas, no para los coches"". El País.
- "Carmena destituye a Álvarez del Manzano al frente del Ifema y nombra a Luis Cueto". El Mundo. 3 August 2015.
- "Obras, túneles y casticismo". El Mundo. 15 June 2003.