Madrid’s political landscape has seen a shakeup in its education ministry, with Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the region’s president, replacing Emilio Viciana with Mercedes Zarzalejo on . The change comes amid ongoing negotiations surrounding a regional university law and, critically, concerns over the underfunding of public universities. While the move is presented as a necessary shift in direction, scrutiny is now focused on the qualifications and experience of the incoming minister.
The official explanation from the Madrid government, as relayed to EFE, centers on a perceived failure by Viciana to implement a university model aligned with Ayuso’s vision. Specifically, a “program to support, strengthen and modernize Madrid’s universities,” tasked to Viciana “more than two years ago,” was deemed unfulfilled. Ayuso has stated her intention to “give new impetus” to the ministry with Zarzalejo’s appointment, expecting her to carry out this “ambitious university project.”
However, questions are being raised about the portrayal of Zarzalejo’s academic and professional background. While a press release highlighted her as “a doctor in Law, graduated from the Complutense University and graduated from the Carlos III University of Madrid,” a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture. The “graduation” from Carlos III University refers to the completion of a Diploma in Advanced Studies in Labor and Social Security Law – a research proficiency certification predating the Bologna Plan, and no longer issued. This diploma was a prerequisite for achieving doctoral status, but is not a degree in itself.
Further scrutiny of Zarzalejo’s academic record reveals limited published research. A search of Dialnet, a major bibliographic portal, yielded only three solo articles authored by Zarzalejo, all appearing in the Magazine of Work and Social Security, published by the CEF, a competitive exam preparation academy. This publication is not indexed in either Scopus or Web of Science, two leading global databases, which limits the visibility and impact of the work. Two of the three publications were created with the assistance of Don Folio, a company offering assisted desktop publishing and ISBN assignment – a service involving payment for printing and inclusion in the ISBN database. This detail was omitted from Zarzalejo’s 16-page academic resume.
The claim of “teaching and research staff” experience in “several universities” also appears less extensive upon review. Zarzalejo’s resume details a seven-month stay at the University of Siena in Italy in , during her doctoral studies, which was primarily for learning rather than teaching. Beyond that, her documented university affiliations are limited to the European University and Carlos III University, where she held scholarship positions between and , and a four-month appointment as an associate professor at the University of Córdoba in . She began working at the University of Córdoba as a full-time professor in , according to her resume.
Zarzalejo’s recent political career includes serving as mayor of San Martín de Valdeiglesias from to , followed by a move to the Madrid Assembly, where she gained recognition for her contributions to the investigation commission into Begoña Gómez. She was appointed vice-counselor last .
The appointment has not been without internal repercussions. Following Viciana’s dismissal, several figures associated with the previous administration resigned, including Pablo Posse, the former education spokesperson in the Assembly, and department heads María Luz Rodríguez de Llera and Nicolás Javier Casas Calvo. Deputies Mónica Lavín and Carlota Pasaró also stepped down. These resignations suggest internal conflict and a shift in direction within the education ministry.
Notably, Antonio Castillo Algarra, an informal advisor to Ayuso on education issues since , and his associates have also been sidelined. Castillo’s influence was previously seen in initiatives such as the reinstatement of philosophy in the school curriculum and the strengthening of history subjects. His removal signals a departure from these earlier priorities.
The Madrid government has downplayed the significance of the Law on Higher Education, Universities, and Science (LESUC) in relation to this restructuring, framing it as “just another tool” that the previous minister failed to utilize effectively. However, the underlying issue of university funding remains a central point of contention, and the success of Zarzalejo’s “ambitious university project” will likely hinge on her ability to address this critical challenge. The rectors of Madrid universities reportedly feel more comfortable with Zarzalejo than with her predecessor, believing she possesses a basic understanding of university management due to her medical background and prior academic experience.
The appointment ceremony itself was conducted without press access, further contributing to a sense of opacity surrounding the changes within the Madrid education ministry. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Zarzalejo can navigate these challenges and deliver on Ayuso’s vision for the region’s universities.
