Spain

is left without an ambassador in

London

a month after the consummation of

Brexit

and at a key moment in bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Council of Ministers confirmed the dismissal of diplomat

Carlos Bastarreche,

who retired in November when he turned 70 but agreed to continue temporarily in office until the appointment of his replacement.

Although the

Government

initially communicated that Bastarreche would continue in his post until the replacement took place, the truth is that at the time of his departure it is still unknown who will take his place.

The Minister Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in London,

José María Fernández López de Turiso, a

philologist by training, will be provisionally at the head of the diplomatic delegation.

The government's

lack of foresight

has been in evidence during this peculiar period of "transition".

Almost three months after

Ambassador Bastarreche reached the maximum age to hold office, his position remains up in the air.

In clear contrast, the British Government usually appoints its ambassador to Spain six months before the replacement takes place, to give him time to carry out the transfer and take the measure to the position.

The delay in the appointment of the new ambassador in London

- one of the most greedy positions in the diplomatic career -

may be due to the express desire of the Government to give greater relevance to the position, after the United Kingdom's departure from the EU and in light of the need to strengthen bilateral relations.

Diplomatic sources confirm that up until now, women's names have been considered as possible successors.

Bastarreche could be relieved by what could be the first Spanish ambassador in London, with the Secretary of State for International Cooperation

Ángeles Moreno

or the Secretary of State for Commerce

Xiana Méndez

among the candidates.

The Minister of

Foreign Affairs Arancha González Laya is

also considering other names such as the current ambassador to

Malta, Consuelo Femenía,

or the Secretary of State for Sports

Irene Lozano.

González Laya has previously been criticized for taking too long to decide appointments.

In the case of London, the delay in the departure of Carlos Bastarreche (Madrid, 1950) was initially justified by the end of the Brexit transition period in December 2020. Bastarreche had arrived at the position in 2017, with the experience acquired as ambassador Permanent Representative of Spain to the

European Union

until 2010 and as ambassador to

France

until 2014.

He replaced

Federico Trillo

after a particularly turbulent period at the embassy.

Bastarreche maintained a lower political profile, held his position with the change of government and was focused almost exclusively on Brexit.

The successive delays since November have created a certain tension in the embassy in London, where it is still unknown how long it will take to name the successor or successor.

After his name was made public in the BOE, the transfer occurs rarely before a month, so the diplomatic headquarters in London can remain without an ambassador

at least until March.


According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • London

  • European Union

  • Madrid

  • Arancha González Laya

Brexit UK replaces Erasmus and 'closes' doors to poor European students

VenezuelaThe Contact Group calls for "resuming political negotiations" with Nicolás Maduro

SpainBarcelona and Madrid, in the Top Ten of the most attractive cities in the world to live and work

See links of interest

  • Work calendar

  • Live, ATP Cup: Roberto Bautista - Jon Millman

  • ATP Cup, live: Rafael Nadal - Álex de Miñaur

  • ATP Cup, live: Roberto Bautista - Álex de Miñaur

  • Real Madrid - UCAM Murcia

  • Almeria - Seville