José Blanco

José brings extensive experience at the highest levels of public decision-making in Spain and Europe, with a career spanning government, parliament, and party leadership. In 2019, he founded a public affairs consultancy specialising in strategic, proactive and constructive engagement with the political, economic and social environment, supporting companies, institutions and organisations in navigating complex decision-making contexts.

His parliamentary career spans more than two decades, having served consecutively as Senator and Member of the Spanish Congress between 1989 and 2014, and later as a Member of the European Parliament. At the European level, his work focused on strategic areas for economic and technological development, including industry, innovation, energy, technological progress and intellectual property, actively contributing to key committees and international forums.

He served as Minister of Public Works of Spain between 2009 and 2011, and as Government Spokesperson in 2011, during the administration of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. In this role, he chaired the European Council of Transport Ministers and led the response to major international challenges, including the disruption of European airspace following the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption and the Spanish air traffic controllers’ crisis.

Within the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), he held senior leadership roles, notably as Secretary of Organisation of the Federal Executive Committee from 2000 to 2008 and as Deputy Secretary-General from 2008 to 2012. He also played a central role in national campaign strategy and party organisation, and served as Secretary-General of the PSOE in Lugo.