Prominent Female Politicians Noelia García and Janet Sanz Step Down from Local Government Roles

Two notable female political leaders in Spain have announced their departures from influential local government positions, marking significant changes in municipal politics at the close of 2025.

Noelia García Leal, the former mayor of Los Llanos de Aridane on La Palma, confirmed her exit from local politics and her resignation from the Popular Party (PP) after a decade in office. Now serving as Commissioner for Transparency in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, García emphasized her commitment to institutional service beyond party lines and declared no intentions of returning to local politics, citing a need for disconnection and fresh perspectives. Despite stepping down from political roles, she maintains cordial relationships across party divisions, including with PSOE members.

In parallel, Janet Sanz bid farewell to the Barcelona City Council after 14 years, relinquishing her leadership of Barcelona en Comú to Gemma Tarafa. Sanz, who began her council service in 2011 at 26 and served eight years as deputy mayor for Urbanism, highlighted landmark urban initiatives such as the Eixample "superilla" and the Diagonal tram connection. She framed urban planning as a vehicle for creating public rights, affordable housing, and regulated tourism, acknowledging challenges posed by partisan politics. Sanz expressed a strong emotional connection to Barcelona and pledged to continue political engagement outside government office.

These departures mark the end of significant political chapters for two pioneering women who shaped local governance through transparency, urban innovation, and citizen-focused policies. Their transitions also usher in new leadership tasked with upholding their legacies and advancing municipal priorities.