Raúl Santamaría, in his first speech in a plenary session of the Galician Parliament.
Raúl Santamaría is a deputy of the PPdeG, member of two commissions, and has made the competition compatible with the activity of the Chamber. After his farewell, together with his brother Borja and his friend Bruno at “Chain Reaction”, he will dedicate himself to politics
November 27, 2024 . Updated at 1.30pm
Raúl Santamaría González (Vilagarcía, 1998) is one of the three Young people from Arousathe team that lasted more than 400 Telecinco competition programs Chain reaction with a prize of 2.6 million euros. But it is also, starting from the regional elections in February, member of parliament from Galicia.
Politics came to him long before television success. He is president of New generations
Santamaría had his role in that campaign. It was one of the opening acts of the demonstration in his hometown and went on campaign trips. In one of them a friendly competition arose Mariano Rajoy to see who asked for the most photos. The former president ended up conceding a draw because both had been invited together, they say in the PPdeG.
Until a few weeks ago I had a partial dedication to the Galician Chamber, since I had to make parliamentary activity compatible with participation in the competition. Despite this, and despite the fact that ordinary activity was reduced due to the start of the legislature and the summer break, he was present in parliamentary activity in O Hórreo. Despite the recordings of the Mediaset programme, he attended at least one day of all the plenary sessions held since the beginning of the legislature.
His first speech in the Chamber took place in the plenary session of 15 May, with a question to the Minister of Education, Romano Rodriguezon the implementation of free university contributions. Furthermore, his party appointed him as a member of the fourth commission, on Education and Culture, and the eighth, on Fisheries and Shellfish. He spoke once in the first, on 4 June, and three times in the second, on 2 July, 1 October and, the last time, this same Tuesday 26 November. On two occasions he defended his party’s non-legal proposals. He also spoke on September 12 in the second commission, Territorial Planning, Public Works, Environment and Services, because an initiative was being discussed on the reform of the Paseo do Cantiño, on the Illa de Arousa. It is common practise for parliamentarians to stand in for their colleagues when discussing an issue affecting their sector.
Mozos de Arousa farewell to “Chain Reaction” with tears
Santamaría’s activity has not been poor, parliamentary sources underline, even more so if we take into account the size of the popular group, which has 40 seats. In fact, the same sources underline, it is likely that they are other colleagues”They will intervene fewer times». It must be taken into account that participations are rotating, so they are announced once every four or five tenders, and commissions are held every 15 days.
Santamaría also participated in multiple committees without intervening. Among these, the announcements of the third commission of Economy, Facenda and Orzamentos in which the budgets of the Education and Culture area were detailed.
This is how the life of the Mozos de Arousa will be now: Borjamina wants to rest, Raúl will dedicate himself to politics and Bruno will continue studying
In the party they say it he has adapted well to Parliament and they expect him to gain prominence after finishing their participation in the programme. Your plan is turn to politics. For the PPdeG this is a significant resource in the Chamber. He is one of its best-known deputies, even in the sectors of the population furthest from politics. Just look at the social interactions of the videos in which he appears, which far surpass the others. The only similar phenomenon in the PPdeG is that of Ana Vázquez Blanco, member of the Congress of Ourense, who also makes her first steps on television.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on Raúl Santamaría’s Transition from Television to Politics
Time.news Editor (T.E.): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Elena Rodríguez, a political expert and analyst who will share insights on the recent transition of Raúl Santamaría González from the popular television show Chain Reaction to a parliamentary role in the Galician Parliament. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rodríguez.
Dr. Elena Rodríguez (E.R.): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
T.E.: Let’s dive right in. Raúl Santamaría has made headlines for his unique journey from a beloved television personality to a member of parliament. How significant is this transition in the context of modern politics?
E.R.: This transition is quite significant, particularly in Spain, where media presence can heavily influence political candidacies. Santamaría’s face is widely recognized thanks to Chain Reaction, and this familiarity can translate into voter engagement and support. It reflects a broader trend of blending entertainment and politics, especially among younger voters.
T.E.: Speaking of engaging younger voters, Santamaría is quite young himself, born in 1998. How does his age play into his role in the Galician Parliament?
E.R.: His youth is certainly an asset. It allows him to connect with a demographic that feels somewhat detached from traditional politics. His role as president of New Generations, which targets the youth wing of the Popular Party, complements his ability to resonate with younger constituents. They may see him as a representative who understands their issues and aspirations.
T.E.: Despite his recent political candidacy, he managed to perform his parliamentary duties while participating in a television competition. How effectively do you think he balanced these two demanding roles?
E.R.: Balancing both roles is no small feat. However, his commitment to attending parliamentary sessions, despite the recording schedules of Chain Reaction, signals his dedication to politics. This ability to juggle responsibilities might actually enhance his public image, demonstrating a strong work ethic and commitment to service, which can earn him respect among peers and constituents alike.
T.E.: His first speech in the Galician Parliament was on an important issue—free university contributions. How indicative is this of his priorities as a politician?
E.R.: It’s very telling. By addressing educational issues right away, he is emphasizing the importance of accessible education—a key concern for many voters, especially those with students or those currently pursuing higher education. It positions him as a leader who cares about the future of young people and invests in long-term developmental strategies.
T.E.: You mentioned his activity levels in parliament despite a large party. Can you elaborate on how this affects his political career moving forward?
E.R.: Absolutely. Active engagement in parliamentary discussions could help Santamaría build rapport within the party and among constituents. If he continues to speak up on issues that matter, particularly in the commissions he’s involved in—like Education and Culture, as well as Fisheries and Shellfish—he’ll establish himself as a credible and effective member of the parliament. This could pave the way for future leadership opportunities within the party.
T.E.: As a closing thought, Dr. Rodríguez, where do you see Raúl Santamaría’s political career heading in the next few years?
E.R.: If he keeps this momentum and builds on his public presence, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him rise within the ranks of his party, possibly even becoming a spokesperson for youth policies. His unique background might allow him to advocate for innovative policies that engage younger generations. Ultimately, he holds great potential for becoming a significant political figure in Galicia and beyond.
T.E.: Thank you, Dr. Rodríguez, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to watch how Raúl Santamaría’s journey unfolds in the coming years.
E.R.: Thank you for having me. It’s definitely a journey to keep an eye on!