Five new ministers have been sworn into the Spanish Government after Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar carried out his biggest cabinet reshuffle since taking office.

Aznar: No explanation for the changes so far

Foreign Minister Josep Pique was demoted to head the Science and Technology Ministry, being replaced by Ana Palacio, a member of the European Parliament.

There has long been speculation on his departure from one of the busiest ministries as he is expected to lead the right-wing Popular Party in crucial local elections in his native Catalonia.

Correspondents say however that the scale of the reshuffle indicates that Mr Aznar is preparing the government for legislative elections in 2004, and has brought in the party faithful.

Embarrassing strike

The former Justice Minister, Angel Acebes, was given the Interior Ministry portfolio.

He replaced Marino Rajoy, who retained his brief as deputy prime minister while becoming government spokesman and chief of staff.

Labour Minister Juan Carlos Aparicio was replaced by Eduardo Zaplana, a senior official in Mr Aznar's People's Party.

Mr Aparicio played a key role in drawing up labour reforms to restrict unemployment benefits - a move which brought thousands of people onto the street in a protest strike.

It was the first general strike since Mr Aznar came to power in 1996, and is widely seen to have seriously embarrassed the government.

In all, six ministers were removed from the cabinet, and five new names were brought in.

Three others switched portfolios.

There has been no official explanation for the changes.