The first government of José María Aznar was formed on 6 May 1996, following the latter's election as Prime Minister of Spain by the Congress of Deputies on 4 May and his swearing-in on 5 May, as a result of the People's Party (PP) emerging as the largest parliamentary force at the 1996 Spanish general election.

[1] It succeeded the fourth González government and was the Government of Spain from 6 May 1996 to 28 April 2000, a total of 1,453 days, or 3 years, 11 months and 22 days.

The cabinet comprised members of the PP and a number of independents.

[2][3][4][5] It was automatically dismissed on 13 March 2000 as a consequence of the 2000 general election, but remained in acting capacity until the next government was sworn in.

[17][18][19] José María Aznar's first government was organised into several superior and governing units, whose number, powers and hierarchical structure varied depending on the ministerial department.