Rather the reshuffle is an attempt by the Prime Minister, Mr Aznar, to shore up support ahead of local elections, reports Jane Walker from Madrid
Spaniards use the word crisis to describe a cabinet reshuffle even when the changes are more technical than signs of real trouble. This week's ministerial changes are being described as "a major, profound crisis", but they are more a sign of Prime Minister Mr Jose Maria Aznar's desire to reward efficient ministers and to consolidate his government half-way through his second four-year term.
Six of Mr Aznar's 16-member cabinet have been dismissed, three will change their portfolios, and five new ministers join the government. The new cabinet was sworn in before King Juan Carlos yesterday, but it has introduced little new blood or given any strong hint of a possible successor to Mr Aznar who says he will not stand for a third term.
One of the most important newcomers is Ms Ana de Palacio, sister of EU vice-president Mr Loyola de Palacio, who becomes the first woman in Spain to hold the Foreign Affairs portfolio. The MEP, a fluent English, French and German speaker, earned enormous respect in Brussels and Strasbourg for her fight against cancer two years ago when she continued her parliamentary work while undergoing chemotherapy treatment and last year was named one of the most influential Europeans by the Wall Street Journal.
Outgoing foreign minister Mr Josep Pique remains in the government but playing a lesser role. He takes over the Science and Technology portfolio, at a time when the telecommunications industry is in crisis over liberalisation and when a decision on the future of digital television has still to be reached. His departure can also be interpreted as a sign that the dialogue with the UK over Gibraltar has reached a stalemate.
Mr Pique and his British counterpart Mr Jack Straw had promised a preliminary solution "before the summer". Mr Straw is due to visit Madrid tomorrow, but Ms de Palacio will have little time to prepare for the visit and give the governments a face saving excuse for delaying their announcement.
The first vice president and outgoing interior minister Mr Mariano Rajoy, a man tipped by many as a suitable candidate to replace Mr Aznar, has strengthened his position. During the 16 months in the Interior portfolio, Mr Rajoy has had considerable success in the fight against terrorism, but has been less successful combating crime and delinquency which has increased by more than 10 per cent.
Mr Rajoy moves to the Presidency, the ministry responsible for co-ordinating government offices. He also takes over the spokesman's ministerial portfolio, replacing Mr Pio Cabanillas who earned himself the nickname of "official government liar" from the opposition. Mr Cabanillas is being punished for a series of blunders - including denying last month's general strike had taken place only hours after much of the country had been paralysed by strike action.
As Justice Minister, Mr Angel Acebes was responsible for the controversial Law of the Parties which outlaws parties accused of supporting terrorism. A few weeks ago a journalist asked Mr Acebes where he hoped to go in a reshuffle. "Please, not Interior!" he exclaimed.
But Mr Aznar was not listening, and he will now be responsible for enforcing the anti-terrorist fight in the very ministry he did not want. Someone had to pay a price for the June 20th general strike - even if the government tried to show it had been a failure - and although he personally earned a reputation as a flexible negotiator, the labour and social affairs minister, Mr Juan Carlos Aparicio becomes the scapegoat.
He has been sacked and replaced by Mr Eduardo Zaplana, a man who earned his reputation for efficiency as mayor of the tourist resort of Benidorm and as president of the autonomous region of Valencia.
If nothing untoward occurs it will be another two years before the next general election, but there will be regional and municipal elections to be fought in the meantime.
Mr Aznar is trying to strengthen his power base to put the Popular Party in a good position to win a third term in power.