Who Is Mar Galcerán? Spain Elects First MP With Down’s Syndrome

Mar Galcerán made history on January 12, becoming Spain's first parliamentarian with Down's syndrome. Galrecán, belonging to the People's Party (PP) and the Corts Valencianes, the legislature of the Valencian Community, was elected to Valanecia's regional assembly. Her achievement is not only a personal win, but also a significant milestone for all people with intellectual disabilities. Galcerán has been an advocate for people with genetic conditions and intellectual disabilities for decades. The 45-year-old has over three decades of experience working in politics, showing unwavering dedication to serving the people of her Valencian community.

Who Is Mar Garcelán?

Mar Galcerán first joined politics at just the age of 13, when she interned with the President of the Generalitat Valenciana. She also interned for four years at an organisation called Asindown, or the Down Syndrome Association of Valencia. She joined the People's Party when she was 18 years old for its "embrace of tradition."

For decades, Galcerán worked for the community and climbed the ladder till she was placed 20th on the People's Party's party list for the 2023 Valencian regional election in May last year. She joined the Corts Valencianas on September 14, 2023. Galcerán aims to eliminate prejudice against intellectual disabilities; "I want people to see me as a person, not just for my disability," she told The Guardian.

Other Leaders With Intellectual Disabilities

While some media reports claim that Galcerán was the first person with intellectual disabilities in Europe to become a parliamentarian, the Christian Science Monitor reported in 2021 that Éléonore Laloux a city council member in Arras, France, became the first person with Down syndrome to be elected to public office.

In 2013, Ángela Bachiller, another woman with Down syndrome, became Spain's city councillor in Valladolid, the first official with a genetic condition. Bachiller replaced the predecessor who had resigned over corruption allegations. In Peru, 27-year-old Bryan Russell, a man with Down syndrome, ran for parliament in 2019. Russell said in his campaign that he wants to "break the paradigm" that is commonly seen in Peruvian society and prove that those with Down syndrome can be independent.