Carme Chacón gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 5.48pm yesterday evening at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in her home town of Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona). Miguel weighed in at 2.8kg (6lb 2oz) and both he and his mother are "in perfect health" after an uncomplicated delivery.

Interior minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, will take over the reins at the Defence ministry to cover Ms Chacón's sixteen week maternity leave which she will share with her husband, Casa de América director, Miguel Barroso.

According to Dr Josep Maria Laílla, who heads up the hospital's maternity department, Ms Chacón was admitted after a routine check-up at lunchtime yesterday - two weeks before the baby - her first - was due.

Pregnant Defence minister admitted to hospital
By: thinkSPAIN
Monday, May 19, 2008

Around two weeks earlier than expected, Carme Chacón was admitted to a hospital in her home town of Esplegues de Llobregat (Barcelona) at lunchtime today to give birth to her first child - a son, who will be christened Miguel.

As a result, Ms Chacón's first parliamentary address - scheduled for tomorrow - has been cancelled.

Also postponed has been the new minister's first official visit to a military facility in Spain - Torrejón de Ardoz air base - that had also been in her diary for this week.

Last month, against medical advice, Ms Chacón bravely undertook her first overseas trips to visit Spanish troops stationed in Afghanistan and Lebanon.