Cristina Garmendia advocates for diverse professional backgrounds in politics

Cristina Garmendia, the former Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, has argued that high-level public responsibilities should not be reserved solely for career politicians. Speaking at the Cotec Foundation in Madrid, Garmendia emphasized that while experience in business, academia, or research does not guarantee better governance, it provides a broader perspective on the issues the State must address.

Appointed to her ministerial role in 2008 by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Garmendia entered government from the biotechnology sector without a background in political parties. She maintains that her lack of traditional political experience was one of her greatest strengths. Currently, she serves as the president of the Cotec Foundation and sits on the board of directors for CaixaBank.