[2] The office of Deputy Prime Minister, like the premiership, dates back to the 19th century.

A Royal Decree of 1840 appointed Joaquín María Ferrer as Vice President of the Council of Ministers.

This vice-president, said article 3 of the Royal Decree, was appointed by the president from among the members of the Council of Ministers.

[6] With the resignation of Primo de Rivera and the fall of the monarchy, the Second Republic was established in Spain, which did not initially consider a deputy prime minister necessary.

From 1938 to 1981 the position was occupied by military officials, with the exception of the vice presidents Torcuato Fernández Miranda (1973-1973) and José García Hernández (1974-1975).