Sánchez chooses Elma Saiz as the new spokesperson for the Spanish government

BarcelonaThe day after the electoral defeat of the socialists in ExtremaduraPedro Sánchez appeared at the Moncloa Palace to explain who will replace the current spokesperson for the Spanish government and Minister of Education, Pilar Alegría. Two women will assume these roles. Elma Saiz, the current Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, will be the new spokesperson for the national government; and Milagros Tolón, currently the Spanish government's delegate in Castilla-La Mancha, will be the new Minister of Education. Alegría is leaving her post to run as the Socialist candidate in Aragon, where early elections will be held on February 8. In his official statement, Sánchez thanked Alegría for her work to date. He highlighted her having "improved the working conditions of teachers," given an "unprecedented boost to early childhood education" (ages 0-3), and "enhanced the value of a key educational offering" such as vocational training. "In short, an excellent track record," summarized Sánchez, who wished her luck in the "high responsibilities" he is convinced she will assume in Aragon.

Elma Saiz will now be the face of the national government as its new spokesperson. The current Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration will appear after the cabinet meeting to explain the government's agreements and will make her debut this Tuesday. A law graduate from the University of Navarra, Saiz has been a minister since 2013, when Sánchez secured a coalition government after the elections of July 23 of that year. The Spanish president highlighted that Saiz is the minister who oversaw Spain reaching almost 22 million contributors to the social security system. "Now she assumes a new responsibility: to be the voice of the government during the second half of the legislature," the Spanish president stated.

The right wing had targeted Saiz because of the Cerdán case, given her past role in María Chivite's Navarre government. In fact, after the announcement, the People's Party (PP) reiterated this point: "There is no better spokesperson for this administration than someone who was part of the Navarre government that awarded contracts in Santos Cerdán's corrupt scheme." Sources within the conservative party have focused on the Socialists' debacle in Extremadura and lamented that Sánchez missed "an opportunity to correctly interpret the Extremadura results and opt for new figures who are not tainted by the shadow of corruption or the scandals surrounding the PSOE." "The best spokesperson for this government is the minister who participated in awarding contracts to Santos Cerdán's construction company—pure Sánchez consistency. If this is the government spokesperson, what can we expect from this government?" added PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo later.

The Education portfolio will be assumed by Milagros Tolón, who received the transfer of portfolios this afternoon. A graduate in Geography and History from the Complutense University of Madrid and also with a teaching diploma from the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Tolón was the first female mayor of Toledo and has also served as a member of the Cortes of Castilla-La Mancha. Sánchez also highlighted her experience as a teacher at the adult education center in Toledo. "Her background is fundamental in a field where all levels of government have jurisdiction, such as educational policy, and where the capacity for dialogue is essential," the Spanish president stated.

Sumar Reviews

Sánchez used this official statement to reiterate that the government is approaching this second half of the legislative term with enthusiasm and full energy, aiming to advance its legislative agenda with a willingness to engage in dialogue and humility. The changes in the state government come just days after the junior partner in the coalition government, Sumar, demanded a reshuffle following the emergence of new investigations into alleged corruption surrounding the Socialists. However, the changes made by Sánchez have not convinced Yolanda Díaz's party, which considers them a routine response. "This isn't a politically astute decision; it's a desperate attempt to move forward, not a change of course. It seems to be a denial of reality," stated Sumar spokesperson Lara Hernández, who accuses the PSOE of remaining "stuck in paralysis, inertia, and complacency." Hernández said this strategy is what led to the Socialists' electoral defeat in Extremadura. "We must urgently reshuffle the government now," he declared. Esquerra avoided commenting on the changes, framing them instead as "internal needs linked to the electoral calendar," said spokesperson Isaac Albert. Junts senator Eduard Pujol also refrained from commenting, instead urging Sánchez to "rethink his approach to Catalonia" in order to fulfill pending agreements.