Pablo Echenique, a prominent figure in the Spanish political party Podemos, has publicly criticized Yolanda Díaz, the Minister of Labor, for her recent attendance at the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum alongside the Spanish royal family in Egypt. Echenique took to social media to voice his discontent, questioning her absence from her ministerial responsibilities.
The inauguration ceremony took place in Giza, where King Felipe VI was present to mark the opening of a museum set to house nearly 100,000 artifacts, alongside a storage facility for antiquities and a restoration laboratory. The official statement from the Royal Household outlined the delegation that accompanied the King, which included various dignitaries, such as the Egyptian Minister of Labor, Mohamed Abdel Aziz Gibran, and Spain”s ambassador to Egypt, Sergio Román.
The controversy arises from some critics who believe that the Minister of Labor should not have left her post to attend this event. Echenique did not hesitate to express his views on the matter, suggesting that while he understood the significance of the occasion, Díaz”s participation was inappropriate given her official duties. He stated, “I think it is perfectly fine that Yolanda Díaz attended the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum because…”
Additionally, during their state visit to Egypt, King Felipe and Queen Letizia toured the Valley of the Kings, where they learned about ongoing projects aimed at the enhancement and preservation of archaeological sites in Luxor and Giza. This initiative is expected to boost tourism in the area surrounding these historical burial sites.
The juxtaposition of a high-profile cultural event with the responsibilities of a government minister has sparked a debate in Spain about the expectations placed on public officials and their roles in representing the country abroad. Echenique”s remarks highlight the tensions between ceremonial duties and the obligations of governance.
