Óscar López Appointed as New Minister of Digital Transformation
Óscar López, the current Director of the Cabinet of the President of the Government, will step into the role of Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Function. He replaces José Luis Escrivá, who is slated to become the Governor of the Bank of Spain.
López has been a prominent figure in Spanish politics, assuming the role of chief of staff to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in 2021. Prior to this position, he served as the Secretary of Organization for the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) from 2012 to 2014. His relationship with Sánchez dates back to the latter's first term, during which López was also heavily involved before a short period of estrangement.
From July 2018 to July 2021, López held the position of president of Paradores, a government-run hotel chain, further establishing his credentials within the public sector. His political journey began when he became the Secretary General of the PSOE in Castilla y León in 2008. He was also a candidate for the Presidency of the Junta of Castilla y León in 2011.
As a deputy for the PSOE since 2004, López contributed significantly to legislative initiatives during his time in Congress until 2011. He was involved in creating laws affecting the RTVE corporation, transitioning to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), and the General Audiovisual Law.
In his new ministerial role, López will inherit an annual salary of approximately €79,415.16, translating to about €6,617 gross per month. Meanwhile, Escrivá, upon taking the governor role at the Bank of Spain, will see his income increase significantly, reaching nearly €250,000 per year. This change marks a notable shift in the leadership of key government departments, with López's extensive background in political organization and administration expected to play a crucial role in shaping Spain's digital transformation.
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