Rafael Merino

Rafael Merino López (born 8 January 1959) is a Spanish former politician of the People's Party. He was a member of the city council in Córdoba from 1991 to 2004, serving as mayor from 1995 to 1999. He was a member of the Congress of Deputies from 2000 to 2002 and again from 2004 to 2019.

Biography Early years and mayor of Córdoba Born in Córdoba in Andalusia, Merino graduated in law from the University of Córdoba. He began in politics in 1981, joining the New Generations (NNGG).

In the 1987 Spanish local elections, Merino ran as 14th on the list of the People's Alliance (AP), the precursor of the People's Party (PP). He was unelected as they took seven seats on the council. Four years later, he ran second on the PP list and was elected; the list was led by , whom Merino saw as an influence for his ability to collaborate with others. Merino took 14 of 29 seats in the 1999 election, but the IU and PSOE were able to pact after winning the remainder, and installed Rosa Aguilar as mayor.

From the 2015 Spanish general election, Merino's position as the PP's lead candidate in the Córdoba constituency was taken by Nieto, his successor as PP mayor of Córdoba.

Later years In February 2019, Merino was named as director of the Public Ports Agency of Andalusia. He was named by the new PP Regional Government of Andalusia, led by Juanma Moreno since the 2018 Andalusian regional election.

Merino retired from politics in June 2024, aged 65. He said that the state of Spanish politics was too tense and that it was overflowing into civil society; he called for more cooperation in the spirit of the Spanish transition to democracy.