Catalonia’s president has replaced Mònica Martínez Bravo as Social Rights Minister. Raúl Moreno, her department’s secretary general, steps in. The move marks the first cabinet reshuffle of the current legislature.
Catalonia’s government faces its first major cabinet change of the current term as President Salvador Illa announces the departure of Mònica Martínez Bravo from the Social Rights Ministry. Martínez Bravo, who led the department since August 2024, steps down for personal reasons, with her responsibilities immediately passing to Raúl Moreno, the ministry’s secretary general. The transition, confirmed by Illa in an official statement, is set to take effect within hours, with Moreno joining the Consell Executiu meeting on Tuesday.
This reshuffle comes just weeks after the regional government secured approval for its inaugural budget, signaling a period of consolidation rather than upheaval. Illa described the move as a seamless handover, emphasizing continuity in the ministry’s direction. He praised Martínez Bravo’s tenure, highlighting her role in overhauling Catalonia’s social protection system and positioning it as a core element of the welfare state.
Martínez Bravo, an economist with a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), joined the Catalan cabinet after serving as secretary general for Inclusion at Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. During her nearly two years in office, she spearheaded key reforms, including the Plan Cura to reduce dependency waiting times and a reorganization of child protection services following the closure of the Direcció General d’Atenció a la Infància i l’Adolescència (DGAIA). According to El Periódico, she informed Illa of her intention to resign two weeks ago.
Raúl Moreno, born in Santa Coloma de Gramenet in 1978, now takes the helm. A trained social educator and long-time socialist party member, Moreno served as a regional MP from 2015 to 2024 before becoming secretary general of Social Rights and Inclusion. His career has focused on social action and municipal policy, and Illa underscored the significance of appointing, for the first time, a former social educator as minister. The president stressed that Moreno’s experience would help maintain momentum on initiatives such as the Catalan Third Sector Law, wage parity agreements for sector workers, and the rollout of Plan Cura.
The leadership change is framed as a response to evolving social challenges and the need for Catalonia to remain at the forefront of ambitious social policy. Illa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a more equal and cohesive society, with a social protection system aligned with Catalan values. The reshuffle also reflects a broader trend of administrative renewal in the region, as seen in other recent appointments, including the creation of a new Directorate for Housing Discipline, where Fuensanta Alcalá was tapped to lead efforts against rental fraud, as detailed in this recent report.
For context, the Social Rights Ministry in Catalonia oversees a wide range of policies affecting vulnerable populations, including support for families, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The department’s reforms in recent years have aimed to streamline access to services and strengthen the region’s social safety net. Leadership transitions in such key ministries can influence the pace and direction of ongoing reforms, especially as Catalonia continues to adapt its welfare model to demographic and economic shifts. The appointment of Raúl Moreno signals a commitment to continuity, but also places the spotlight on how the government will address new and persistent social needs in the coming years.
