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He was born in 1971, in a Ferrol that was still "del Caudillo" and that continued until seven years after Franco's death. In his land, and in his sea, he was drunk with the combative spirit that characterized the Galicia of the Transition and the naval strikes. Unlike the shipyards, Yolanda Díaz (51) learned more unionism at home than on the streets. The current Minister of Labor has a family past impossible to remove from her political figure.
At the moment he launches his candidacy for the general elections, Díaz has the support of his loved ones. The meeting, this Sunday in Madrid, has had the support of 15 left-wing parties, among which are several regional subsidiaries of Podemos.
"Her friends from Galicia and family will be supporting her on Sunday," a source close to the second vice president of the Government told LOC a few days ago. In the acts of listening that took place in recent weeks, the most familiar side of the minister was evident through the presence of her daughter, Carmela. The little girl, only 10 years old, is the result of her relationship with her husband, Juan Andrés Meizoso (49). Technical draftsman whom she met when she worked as a lawyer in Galicia and with whom she has been married for a decade.
Yolanda Díaz with the Minister of Economic Affairs, Nadia Calviño, on March 22, 2023GTRES
"Sometimes Carmela accompanies her in the acts, because it is a way to integrate her family life into politics," says a close person. "She also works a lot on weekends and in the end the space she has is for her daughter," says another source. According to his environment, another of his pillars is his father, Suso Díaz, a historical Galician trade unionist who militated in the PCE in hiding and became secretary of CC.OO in Galicia.
"This is very important. Because manyreferents of the communism of the Transition passed through his house, such as Anguita or Carrillo." In 1972, being just a baby, Yolanda will go from the bars of her crib to know those of a prison. His father had been arrested for demonstrating over the murder of two shipyard workers at the hands of Franco's police. She went to visit him in the arms of his mother, Carmela Pérez, who died a few years ago.
Although Díaz does not keep this episode in her memory, she did keep it in mind during her time as a law student in Santiago and in her specialization as a labor lawyer. Also in family gatherings that, at times, could look more like the ones he has today with the CEOE than a home chat. "His mother's family was very right-wing and his father's was very left-wing. That conditions her to try to reach agreements and meeting points. To live with the two positions", they emphasize.
Yolanda Díaz with the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, at the CongressGTRES
Living together, which does not necessarily mean assuming, has made Díaz the protagonist of some controversies that surprise purists. Like the one that demonstrates his good personal relationship with Antonio Garamendi. With whom, in addition to pulses at the negotiating tables, there has been some laughter. Something that, despite his efforts, he has not achieved with all progressive leaders.
"In his day he could not approach the BNG, but he could approach its split Anova, with Beiras at the head," says a source close to Galician nationalism. An ideology that he learned to understand thanks to his uncle, Xosé Díaz. Twin brother of his father, this economist was a deputy in the Galician Parliament for the Galician Nationalist Bloc between 1997 and 2005. "There's all this genealogy of what the last 40 or 50 years of the left are like."
Now immersed in trying to get the flow of Podemos to go with the flow, Yolanda (from now on not Díaz) finds little time to relax. "When Pablo Iglesias made that famous video where he said he had to be vice president and candidate, he had a terrible time. He lost a lot of weight. She said she needed time to think and that she wanted to do a process of listening across the country and talking to people."
Yolanda Díaz with Unai Sordo (general secretary of CC.OO) and Antonio Garamendi (president of the CEOE)GTRES
That decision led to his current way of life, in which the rhythm is marked both by the Ministry and by the rallies. "Most of his time is spent at work. She is the first to arrive and the last to leave. He enters his office at 8 in the morning and does not leave until 9 at night," they say. "Her daughter has almost adapted to this new reality of having a mother with horrible schedules."
In her leisure time, the minister finds peace reading novels while listening to jazz or classical music. He is also moved by Tanxugueiras and, above all, by Rosalía. Singer who has praised so publicly that Carmela's school nicknames her "Motomami".
Adding is the product of what the new times bring you badly or well. Towards those who advance firmly with their stilettos and their Zara clothes. Without taking into account "the left of the museum" and stamp of the USSR that despise it.
But Yolanda has the protection of her companions and the clamor of her followers. With affectionate words and maternal caress, never employers, he seeks to bristle the thin skin of Podemos. Without them, the accounts do not come out.
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- Articles Marta Corbal