José María Aznar, well known Spanish politician, was mantenedor of Bembibre’s National Festival for the Exaltation of Botillo on its XVII edition in 1989.Back then he was the president of the Government of de Castilla y León.

Degree in Law from the Complutense University of Madrid, he began his professional career as State Finance Inspector until his leap into national politics, with Alianza Popular (re-founded in the Popular Party eight days before his participation in Bembibre’s Botillo Festival).

He got his seat in the Cortes of Castilla y León as a result of the victory of the Popular Alliance in the 1987 elections. He was appointed president of the autonomous community on July 27 of that year. However, his first steps in politics were taken in 1979 when he joined the Popular Alliance.

Three years later, in 1982, he was appointed Deputy in the Cortes Generales of Ávila. Shortly after, in 1985, Aznar became president of the Popular Alliance in Castilla y León.