Spain's Transport Minister faces criticism over policy disputes

Spanish Minister of Transport Óscar Puente is facing criticism following a public dispute with chef José Andrés and concerns regarding regional influence in mobility planning.

Puente engaged in a personal confrontation on social media with José Andrés, who had criticized the government's housing policy. Andrés argued that Spain lacks sufficient housing supply and called for increased construction, more land, and faster licensing, rather than just new decrees. Puente responded by labeling Andrés a ‘chef brother-in-law’ and dismissing his comments.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Transport has faced backlash from regional governments, specifically the Balearic Islands, over proposed structures for the Superior Council and the Territorial Forum for Sustainable Mobility. The Balearic government claims these new bodies would marginalize autonomous communities by leaving them without voting rights or in a minority position. The proposed designs would allow the central administration to preside over and break ties in decision-making processes, which regional officials argue undermines the collaborative intent of the Sustainable Mobility Law.