Mar Galcerán

María del Mar Galcerán Gadea (born 28 October 1977) is a Spanish politician who has been a member of the Corts Valencianes, the legislature of the Valencian Community, since 14 September 2023. A member of the People's Party (PP), Galcerán is the first Spanish regional legislator with Down syndrome.

Early life and career Born María del Mar Galcerán Gadea on 28 October 1977, Galcerán joined the conservative People's Party at the age of 18, citing its "embrace of tradition". She served as a civil servant for many years, (states Galcerán was a public servant for 26 years, while The Guardian states she was for 20 years.)

Parliamentary career In May 2023, Galcerán was placed 20th on the People's Party's party list for the 2023 Valencian regional election. She fell one seat short of becoming a member of the Corts Valencianes; however, due to the appointment of deputy Ernesto Fernández Pardo as the director general of the , Galcerán joined the Corts on 14 September 2023. She was the first person with Down syndrome to serve on a Spanish regional legislature, and, according to , she may be the first person with Down syndrome to serve in a European regional parliament. As a member of the Corts, Galcerán hopes to help eliminate prejudice in society, saying "I want people to see me as a person, not just for my disability." Her appointment was celebrated by Carlos Mazón, the President of the Valencian Government, who described it as "great news for politics, overcoming barriers."