Eneko Andueza, the Secretary General of the Basque Socialist Party (PSE-EE), has announced the election of Cristina González as the new Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Consumption in the Basque Government. This decision was communicated to the Executive Committee of Euskadi during a meeting held this afternoon and has also been relayed to the lehendakari (Basque President) Imanol Pradales.
González, who will succeed Javier Hurtado in this role, represents a strong commitment to an area that the Basque socialists have led continuously since 2016 in regional governments. The tourism and commerce sectors are increasingly vital to the Basque economy, accounting for 18% of the region's GDP and providing 24% of employment, with over 247,000 workers involved. Approximately one in four families in Euskadi is engaged in these sectors, not including related fields such as hospitality, transport, culture, or primary industries.
One of the key objectives for González's department will be the approval of the Tourism Law, aimed at adapting to new circumstances defined by sustainability and ethical tourism practices. This follows the Basque Government's initiative to implement a tax on tourist stays, set to take effect at the beginning of 2027.
Eneko Andueza expressed his confidence in González, stating, "I want to congratulate Cristina González, who knows the area she is taking on perfectly, and I am sure she will do an excellent job. I also want to thank Javier Hurtado for his dedicated service. The Socialist Party once again proves to be a guarantee of stability and good management."
González, who is the President of the PSE-EE and the first Deputy General Deputy in the Alava regional government, will leave her position as a regional deputy for Employment, Commerce, Tourism and Regional Administration to join the Basque Government. Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, she holds a degree in Political Science and Sociology, as well as a diploma in Advanced Studies in the European Union and Eastern Europe. She has been a regional deputy since July 2015 and previously served as a member of the Basque Parliament and as spokesperson for the Socialist group in the General Councils of Alava.
