Those who know Macarena Montesinos describe her as a people-first figure who remains fiercely loyal to trusted colleagues. The leadership circle of the People’s Party has long included her closest confidants, spanning from José María Aznar to Mariano Rajoy, Pablo Casado, and presently Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Montesinos rose to influence when she was named general secretary of the parliamentary group in the Congress of Deputies, a role that placed her at the core of the party’s day-to-day operations. This respect was earned not by luck or title alone, but through a long political journey that began in Alicante, grew through steady effort, and earned the trust of the party’s senior leadership.
Born on September 30, 1961, in the capital, Montesinos is the daughter of Juan Antonio Montesinos, a founder of Alianza Popular who later became regional president and national vice president within the party. Juan Antonio’s career helped shape the People’s Party’s footprint in the Valencian Community, a path his daughter would expand in the years ahead. That example of public service left a lasting impression. After completing studies at a Jesuit school and working as a study counselor, Montesinos entered politics with the backing of New Generations. From the start, she took on leadership roles and was invited by Manuel Fraga to help organize the transitional congress for the PP alongside peers such as Mariano Rajoy, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, Loyola de Palacio, Federico Trillo, and others who had already built strong résumés within the party. The trajectory was clear, and momentum built steadily.
Montesinos climbed through the ranks, both in the party’s organic structure and in broader organizational duties. In 1991 she served as a councilor in Alicante after participating in Diego Such’s municipal slate. That early local experience proved valuable, setting the stage for her as a regional candidate four years later when she entered the Valencia Cortes as a regional deputy. She remained in that chamber until 2004, the same year she moved to the national Congress after winning a seat in general elections. She continued to serve in the Cortes Generales through 2016, with a brief pause in politics. In 2019 she returned to the Chamber of Deputies, resuming her role after leading the Alicante list in the 23J elections. Her persistence and resilience in public service became a defining feature of her career. [Citation: Valencian political archives]
During her time in parliament, Montesinos was known for a combative, energetic style of parliamentary engagement. She challenged and advocated firmly for issues affecting the Valencian Community, particularly the Alicante province, earning recognition from institutions and organizations that valued her tenacity and effectiveness in advancing regional priorities on the national stage. This visibility did not come at odds with her loyalty to the party’s internal life. She maintained strong ties to the central leadership while building a robust public profile, earning continued confidence from senior figures and remaining closely aligned with the party’s core line. The blend of external visibility and internal loyalty helped her stay central within the party apparatus over time. [Citation: parliamentary assessments]
As leadership transitions unfolded, Montesinos remained a trusted participant within the inner circle. She joined the reshaping of the national presidency process, representing Valencian Populars in the committee tasked with planning an extraordinary congress in which Feijóo played a guiding role. In this capacity, she engaged closely with the education portfolio and other strategic elements of the party’s organization, demonstrating versatility and readiness to handle complex assignments at the national level. Her influence extended to procedural roles, where her experience helped shape leadership transitions and align regional interests with national priorities. [Citation: party records]
Under the latest reorganization led by the national party leader, Montesinos became secretary of the group in Congress, a role that positioned her as second in command to the Galician deputy Miguel Tellado, who later led the speaker’s office. This appointment was warmly welcomed by the Valencian PP leadership, led by Carlos Mazón, president of the Generalitat, who had long viewed Montesinos as a trusted ally and mentor to rising figures in the region. To observers, she embodies continuity and reliability that senior party leaders seek when shaping a durable national strategy while safeguarding regional interests. Montesinos’s ability to bridge internal dynamics with external responsibilities underscored her status as a pivotal operator within the party. [Citation: regional political notes]
Today, Montesinos remains a key member of the Valencian PP, working closely with Esteban González Pons and holding a substantive leadership role in Madrid alongside other senior officials. Those who know her well insist this is not merely a family network or a temporary leadership matter. The top executives of the National PP value her presence, believing she adds exceptional value to the team—an assessment echoed by many within the party. In Valencia, she is remembered for combining active parliamentary work with unwavering commitment to regional concerns, a combination that continues to define her reputation and influence. [Citation: party leadership statements]