Mercedes Zarzalejo Carbajo

Mercedes Zarzalejo Carbajo is a prominent Spanish politician and lawyer, recently appointed as the new Minister of Education in the Community of Madrid. A member of the Popular Party (PP), she previously served as the mayor of San Martín de Valdeiglesias and as the spokesperson for the PP in a controversial investigation into Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Known for her hardline stance within the party, Zarzalejo's appointment follows the dismissal of Emilio Viciana, as she is expected to tackle significant challenges in the education sector, including the contentious new university law and issues of funding for public universities.