This Wednesday, José Manuel García-Margallo shared a message on social media that had been anticipated for some time. The former Popular Party minister who served in the government led by Mariano Rajoy and represented Spain in the European Parliament for five terms is stepping back from frontline politics as he nears his 80th birthday. Closely tied to Alicante, where he lives in Xàbia, Margallo had already told both the national PP leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and the regional head, Carlos Mazón, that he would not be part of the European elections slate held last Sunday. While he steps away from daily public life, his plan remains to stay involved in politics. He states, I am moving to active reserve, it is time to make room for the new generations.
A clear sign of this commitment is his ongoing activity: he will continue giving talks and collaborating with the media, echoing the pace of 2023 when he delivered more than 320 interventions. He is also working on a new book, following four titles published during the last European Parliament term. The upcoming work will be titled Memories at Dusk, signaling a personal collection of a life devoted to politics, first in opposition to Francoism and later as a member of the Constituent Cortes through the mid-2020s. He adds, This decision has been forming for some time, and with age and a demanding schedule, it feels right to slow down, reflect with calm and take a slower pace.
Yet the former minister will not immediately reduce his agenda. His decision, announced via a video posted this week, has already drawn media attention. For the moment, he has interviews lined up with major national outlets and news agencies. On Friday he will participate in a debate in Salamanca with the former Socialist minister Miguel Sebastián, and on Saturday he will give a talk at the Institute of the Family Business in Toledo. In the days ahead, more events are planned at CEU San Pablo in Madrid and in Vigo. He explains, for now he will keep a steady pace, living between Madrid, where his professional duties are concentrated, and Xàbia, where he most enjoys being.
In this way, Margallo steps aside from frontline politics after a long institutional career spanning 47 years, including the role of Minister of External Affairs and Cooperation from 2011 to 2016. In the video released on X, he thanks all those who trusted his work and stood by him. He notes, To everyone who applauded, to everyone who criticized, for better or worse, those who see politics as service to Spain and Spaniards do not retire; we simply pass the baton and continue in spirit.
Note: This article chronicles the public steps taken by Margallo and outlines his plans for the near future, reflecting on a long career and ongoing public presence through speaking, publishing, and selective appearances.