Who is Carolina Darias, Illa’s substitute in the Ministry of Health?

From now on the management in Spain of the historic coronavirus pandemic will be the responsibility of Carolina Darias (Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, 1965). The decision made by the PSOE that Salvador Illa, who until then was the head of the Health portfolio, be its candidate in the next elections in Catalonia made her the main candidate to occupy his position, something that has come true.

This was announced this Tuesday by the Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, who has had words of gratitude for the already former minister, Salvador Illa: “I have already communicated the decision to His Majesty Felipe VI. I want to thank Salvador Illa for the work. He has been an extraordinary minister and an honest person. He has never bragged about his successes and has always acknowledged his mistakes. Has shown a great capacity for dialogue at all levels. If I had to highlight one quality, it is the respect it has shown“, said the president in Press conference.

Miguel Iceta will occupy the position of Minister of Territorial Policy, thus replacing Darias. The President of the Government has also spoken kind words for the members of his Executive: “They both know the work ahead of them very well. They have my absolute confidence.”Sánchez concluded.

Darias, near Illa throughout the health crisis

It was almost an open secret since the change was known at the end of December, but Darias has always been considered as the natural solution, since she is the one who has worked closest to Illa at the head of the management of COVID-19 and it is the one that would have the least difficulty having to face her at such a delicate moment.

His escalation into politics has been step by step, since he held the position of councilor in his hometown, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria., until occupying a Ministry. Now it is his turn, without a doubt, to assume one of the most complicated positions and face a tremendous challenge.

Carolina Darias’ career

Darias is Graduated in Law from the University of La Laguna and belongs to the Superior Body of General Administrators of the Public Administration of the Canary Islands. His political record has been one of continuous growth within the PSOE, with a long political career in the Canary Islands.

In 1999 she was elected councilor of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council. From 2004 to 2008 he held the position of Subdelegate of the Government in Las Palmas, and from 2008 to 2011 Delegate of the Government of Spain in the Canary Islands. Later, she was chosen councilor and spokesperson for the Cabildo de Gran Canaria.

Also been deputy of the Parliament of the Canary Islands for the VII Legislature, occupying the spokesperson for Health of the socialist group. Later, he played he position of director of Spatial Planning, Urban Planning and Housing of the City of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria.

It was a regional leader very close to Pedro Sánchez, and that led the Prime Minister to trust the then Minister of Economy, Knowledge and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands for the challenge of the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Public Function, at the time something unexpected.

Other personal data

Carolina Darias She is married and has three daughters, all adopted. She is passionate about Africa and works as a volunteer in an NGO that does her work there. She is also very footballing. She was the first woman to preside over the Canarian Parliament, in 2015.

He knows first-hand the effects of the coronavirus because he was infected in March and spent a month isolated in his room. In addition, he has been present at all Salvador Illa meetings with health technicians and the autonomous communities.

Who will occupy their position and what has Illa said

In this role reversal, Miquel Iceta is chosen to be the new Minister of Territorial Policy. The leader of the PSC had also been one of the most popular names to replace Darias once he gave way to Salvador Illa in Catalonia.

Pedro Sánchez already proposed to Iceta, after the November 2019 elections, to be Foreign Minister, but he chose to continue his work for the party in Catalonia. Now, a few years later, he has to face a new role in the Government, at the head of the Ministry of Territorial Policy.

For its part, Salvador Illa had a few words of thanks as a farewell for him all the time he has been in charge of the Ministry of Health: “I have learned a lot from all my political opponents and I want to thank them for their contribution. I want to thank all the Autonomous Communities and their Health advisers for all the work done in a very difficult year. I want to thank the effort of all the health personnel because the pandemic has put them to the test and has shown their professionalism. I would still like to thank all citizens for the sacrifices they have made and for complying with all the proposed measures. I will continue to focus on giving the best of myself in my new responsibilities and I am convinced that we will be able to defeat the virus. ”