ValenciaWhen on Monday the president of the Congress’s dana commission, Carmen Martínez (Quart de Poblet, 1962), scolded the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, for trying to dodge the questions of the deputy of Bildu, Oskar Matute, with the wild card of ETA, many citizens were surprised by the solvency of the socialist policy. Her serenity did not draw so much attention in the Valencian Country where the progressive leader is known to treasure an extensive career that includes 24 years as mayor of her native town – located next to the city of Valencia -, eight as provincial deputy – including four as spokesperson – and 12 more as regional representative, four of them as first vice-president of the chamber.
Entering professional politics in 1999 meant for Martínez leaving behind a career as a family doctor. The health vocation was overcome by a political commitment with family roots. His grandfather, a member of the Republican Youth, was retaliated against during the dictatorship and every week he had to report to the Civil Guard barracks to be watched and mocked.
The daughter of a carpenter and a management secretary – a job that her mother gave up when she became a mother – the socialist deputy added her first experiences to the family heritage. Among them, the teenage summers in the small mountain town of Siete Aguas, “the best memories”, highlights Martínez, who maintains a strong bond with the municipality as evidenced by the fact that he participated in the foundation of its Gran Fondo Internacional, an athletic event that will reach its 45th edition this year.
When politics leaves her a free moment, the progressive leader devotes it to going to the cinema and reading. Among his favorite novels are those of intrigue and mystery. She admires current Nordic authors, but, above all, places the work of Agatha Christie, of whom she admits to being an admirer. Perhaps the British author helps him discover some hidden political cat.
