Pedro Sánchez highlights the 'rigour, professionalism and expert knowledge' of Sara Aagesen, who comes to 'give continuity and expand' the 'impressive legacy of Teresa Ribera'

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has made an institutional declaration to announce the appointment of Sara Aagesen as the new third vice-president of the Government of Spain and minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

This appointment comes as a replacement for Teresa Ribera; a change that has been previously communicated to the King, Felipe VI.

Pedro Sánchez began his speech by acknowledging Teresa Ribera and thanking her for her work over all these years, since she took office in 2018, when she was already "an international reference in the fight against climate change."

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

He highlighted the boost given by Ribera to the development of renewable energies, the fact that millions of families and companies have significantly reduced their electricity bills, her crucial role in the transformation of our economic model, as well as her "great legislative and managerial legacy," including the Law on Climate Change and the protection of ecosystems such as the Doñana National Park."

At this point, Pedro Sánchez referred to her new assignment and expressed his conviction that Ribera would make an excellent first vice-president of the European Commission. "Spain wins and Europe wins with Teresa Ribera in Brussels"; a "progressive, expert and common sense voice in the heart of Europe when it is most needed in the face of the denialism current that unfortunately plagues Europe and the world."

Sara Aagesen

Casa de S.M. el Rey

With regard to Aagasen, he stressed that she comes to "give continuity and extend the impressive legacy left by Teresa Ribera in our country" and, therefore, "there is no one better to replace her than someone who embodies those same values of rigour, professionalism and expert knowledge."

Regarding the former Secretary of State for Energy, he pointed out that she is a chemical engineer by training from the Complutense Public University of Madrid, specialising in the environment, and that she is "one of our country's leading experts in energy transition, also in environmental policy, with a distinguished professional career spanning more than 20 years."

With Aagesen's leadership, "Spain will continue to be a European and global benchmark in terms of green and just transition. We will continue to demonstrate that it is possible to grow, to create wealth, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and caring for the environment and the biodiversity of our country, doing so in an equitable, caring and responsible manner," he said.

Condolences on the death of a worker at a school affected by the DANA

The head of the Executive began his appearance by conveying his condolences and sincere sympathy to the family and loved ones of the worker of the state-owned public company Tragsa, who died in Massanassa while he was helping to rebuild a school.

"It is a terrible loss that the Government of Spain deeply regrets and which highlights the work of thousands of people working day and night in the areas affected by the DANA. So many unsung heroes who continue to give their all to restore normality as soon as possible to the towns and villages that have suffered the effects of this tragedy," he stressed. To all of them, he reiterated once again that "the Government of Spain will continue to do everything necessary for them to rebuild their lives as soon as possible."

Finally, Pedro Sánchez also sent a message of support to the other worker hospitalised in the collapse and wished him a speedy recovery.

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Tags:

• Government of Spain
• Climate change
• Renewable energy
• DANA (Isolated Depression at High Levels)