Francisco Silvela

Who was Francisco Silvela?

Francisco Silvela y Le Vielleuze was a Spanish politician who became the first minister of Spain on May 3, 1899, succeeding Práxedes Mateo Sagasta. He served in this capacity until October 22, 1900.

Silvela also served a second term from December 6, 1902 to July 20, 1903, in which he succeeded another one of Práxedes Mateo Sagasta's many separate terms as prime minister.

Francisco Silvela belonged to the Conservative Party led by Antonio Cánovas del Castillo. He became leader of the Party after the assassination of Cánovas in 1897. His government concluded the German-Spanish Treaty, selling the remainder of the Spanish East Indies.

Francisco Silvela named the general Arsenio Linares y Pombo, who had fought in the Spanish-American War, Minister of War in 1900.

Francisco Silvela withdrew from politics in 1903 and appointed Antonio Maura as his successor. He died in Madrid in 1905.