Madrid - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced a sweeping cabinet reshuffle and restructuring Tuesday in response to the country's deepening recession.

Public Administrations Minister Elena Salgado was appointed economy minister in replacement of Pedro Solbes, who had been accused of downplaying and being slow in responding to the crisis.

Salgado was also made second vice-premier after Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, who retained her post.

Andalusian regional Prime Minister Manuel Chaves will become minister of territorial cooperation and third vice-premier.

Jose Blanco, the second-in-charge of Zapatero's Socialist Party, was appointed infrastructure minister.

Angel Gabilondo, vice-chancellor of Madrid's Autonoma university, was given the education portfolio.

Trinidad Jimenez, secretary of state for Ibero-America, will be health and social policies minister.(dpa)