Manuel Joaquín Álvarez de Toledo

Infobox royalty name = Manuel Joaquín Álvarez de Toledo succession = Chief Minister of Spain 1st term (1685-1691) The family ties of Oropesa to several illustrious noble houses opened the way to the highest ranks of power in Spain. He became a member of the State and War Councils (Consejos de Estado y de Guerra) on 10 August 1680, and became President of the Council of Castile in June 1684, with the unconditional support of the Duke of Medinaceli, who was then Valido or Prime Minister. When Medinaceli was dismissed in April 1685, Oropesa became his successor.

2nd term (1698-1699)

He was called back to Court in 1696, reoccupying the presidency of the Council of Castile, and in March 1698 again became Valido and the most powerful person at Court. Making it clear that King Carlos II would not have any children, he proposed Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria as a candidate to succeed Carlos, but Joseph Ferdinand died in February 1699 and Count Oropesa then opted for Archduke Charles of Austria, in an attempt to continue the House of Habsburg. On this occasion, Oropesa now had the support of the queen consort Maria Anna of Neuburg.