Woman with Down syndrome wins election in Spain

A woman with Down syndrome has been elected to a parliament in Europe, in an “unprecedented” move for the country.

Mar Galcerán is a member of the Corts Valencianes. Picture: Instagram.

Spain has celebrated a historic milestone with the election of Europe’s first ever parliamentarian with Down syndrome, a political veteran focused on breaking down barriers for people with disabilities.

Mar Galcerán, 45, has been involved in politics for her whole adult life. At 18, she joined Spain’s conservative People’s Party and worked her way up the ranks.

In May, Ms Galcerán was added to a list of candidates for the People’s Party ahead of regional elections in Valencia, in eastern Spain.

Shortly after, she obtained a seat in the Corts Valencianes — the parliament for that region of Spain.

Mar Galcerán is the first parliamentarian with Down syndrome in Europe. Picture: Instagram.

Ms Galcerán was sworn into her position as a regional parliamentarian in September last year.

“It’s unprecedented,” she veteran told The Guardian.

“Society is starting to see that people with Down syndrome have a lot to contribute. But it’s a very long road.”

Carlos Mazón, the People’s Party’s leader in Valencia, celebrated her win.

“Welcome Mar. Great news for politics, overcoming barriers,” he wrote on social media.

She’s worked in politics for more than 20 years. Picture: Instagram.

Ms Galcerán’s groundbreaking achievement is believed to be unprecedented in European politics.

She is understood to be the first person with Down syndrome to be elected to a regional or national parliament in Europe, according to Spain’s Down syndrome federation.

“We haven’t heard of anyone else,” said Agustín Matía Amor of Down España.

“It’s a huge step forward and an example of real inclusion.”

Ms Galcerán was elected to the regional parliament of Valencia, Spain. Picture: iStock.

It also places Ms Galcerán among the handful of people with Down syndrome who have broken into politics.

In 2020, Éléonore Laloux became the first person with the genetic disorder to be elected to public office in France, as a city council member in the northern town of Arras. Fintan Bray was also hailed in 2022 when he was elected to a political position in Ireland’s Fianna Fáil party.

In Spain, Ms Galcerán follows in the footsteps of Ángela Bachiller, who in 2013 became Spain’s first city councillor with Down syndrome in Valladolid, in the country’s northwest.

“There are people who think I’m not capable, but these are people who don’t know me or my background,” she said. Picture: Instagram.

Ms Galcerán spent more than two decades working as a civil servant, with a focus on inclusion for those with intellectual disabilities.

She also spent four years at Asindown, an organisation that supports children with Down syndrome.

Despite her impressive credentials, Ms Galcerán said the reaction on social media has been mixed.

“You find all sorts on social media,” she said.

“There are people who support me. But there are also others who think I’m not capable. But these are people who don’t know me or my background.

“I want people to see me as a person, not just for my disability.”