The Senate has approved a censure against the third vice president and minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, following the management of the 'blackout' of April 28, 2025. The initiative was approved with 144 votes in favor (PP, Vox, and UPN), versus 102 against and 11 abstentions, which makes the third vice president the ninth member of the Executive to be censured by the Upper House in this legislature.
The PP senator Carmen Ballester Feliu, in charge of defending the motion, has insisted that "it is unsustainable that after all we know about the null management of the worst energy crisis in the history of Spain she remains in office, both she and the president of Red Eléctrica, Beatriz Corredor".
Ballester has asked to censure Aagesen "for having compromised institutional veracity, transparency in public management, and the exemplary conduct required by the position with special gravity". In his opinion, "he hides files, belittles the autonomous communities (CCAA) and when a crisis arises his attitude is profoundly disloyal and profoundly dishonest".
According to the 'popular' senator, the 'blackout' would be a consequence of the "desk environmentalism practiced by socialism". In her speech, she ironically stated that the vice president "learns quickly from her leader, the president who would not make a deal with separatists or communists, the one who said no to amnesty, who used to say that a government without budgets is like a car without gasoline, or the feminist who was going to end prostitution".
In addition, he has criticized the head of Ecological Transition for a coastal policy "imposed from the office, without listening to those affected," and has accused the ministry of "intending to change the law through the back door via a regulation and turning its back on our communities." In the same vein, he has alluded to information about the company linked to the minister's husband, which "would have doubled its income" during her time in government "allegedly thanks to contracts and relationships linked to the public and energy sector," to conclude that Aagesen's ecological transition consists of "turning sustainability into a business to profit a few whom the minister coincidentally knows very well."
His group partner, Senator Lucía Yeves Leal, has insisted that the Government and, in particular, Ecological Transition, is the "responsible party" for the 'blackout' and that it is not an "isolated case" in its way of governing. She has pointed out that the Forestalia and Villafuel files reflect "the same indecent pattern of opacity, lack of clear explanations, and suspicions that erode credibility" and has denounced that "you have perverted the ecological discourse and use the environment for your own benefit".
From Vox, senator Paloma Gómez Enríquez has confirmed her group's support for the censure. In her opinion, the minister cannot continue at the head of the department because her management is "a catalog of blackouts, licenses under suspicion, and attacks on national energy independence". She has argued that "out of respect for the institutions and for Spain's security, this Chamber should all vote in favor of the minister's censure".
However, he has shown his "surprise" that the PP "naturally accepts" the European Green Deal that preceded the 'blackout', "as if it were the solution when it has become evident that it is part of the problem". In his opinion, "they have imposed Agenda 2030 above the well-being of families and the viability of our industry. One cannot claim to lead the opposition in Madrid while being an accomplice to the same ruinous policies in Europe".
PSOE's Response and Criticisms of the Use of Reprobation
The socialist senator José Francisco Hila Vargas has replied that the PP has not tried to "clarify the blackout", but rather to "fabricate a culprit". He has defended that the PSOE's stance is based on "technical truth, reinforcing supervision and strengthening the system".
In his speech, he maintained that “PP members, let's be sincere. What you cannot stand is that the management of the government and Vice President Agesen has turned Spain into an example to follow for energy transition, which has managed to lower electricity prices, reduce emissions, attract investment, and generate employment”. In his opinion, the PP is “annoyed” that the country is doing well when they are not in government, and that is why they “censure everyone they can,” something he interprets as a “sign of frustration.” He also compared the crisis management of socialists and 'popular' parties, citing the hantavirus outbreak in the MV Hondius, to conclude: “Spaniards are clear about this. In the face of a crisis, a socialist government is better. So, PP members, you keep censuring, and we will keep governing.”
The Junts senator María Teresa Pallarès Piqué has criticized the “partisan and electoralist” use that, in her opinion, the PP makes of the Senate, by turning it “into an instrument of partisan wear and tear against the Government” instead of “clarifying the facts”. Regarding the ‘blackout’, she has demanded “accountability”, with access to real technical information and a “profound” review of the energy model and the security of the electricity supply. She has made it clear that “from Junts we do not participate in the PSOE’s propagandistic narrative, but neither do we participate in this partisanship of the PP. Senators, less reproach and more solutions”.
The senator of the Agrupación Socialista Gomera, Fabián Chinea Correa, has advanced that the Izquierda Confederal Parliamentary Group will not support the motion, considering that the censure is an instrument of "enormous institutional severity" that should be reserved for "truly exceptional" scenarios. He has stressed that "we do not believe at all that we are facing this tragic scenario."
He added that he “does not share” the strategy of turning reprimands into “constant scorched-earth strategies” because “neither does it seem useful, nor does it defend the general interests” of Spain. Although he recalled that his party maintains “very clear” demands before Ecological Transition —such as a stable and sufficient framework for state financing for desalination works on the islands—, he defended that they will do so from “civilized, dialoguing and serene” demands. In his opinion, “of course, political firmness must be used, but from institutional respect and the will to build solutions among all parties involved. The people expect much more from us, honorable members”.
Finally, the PNV senator Igotz López Torre has decided not to intervene in the debate, considering that an “abusive” use of censure is being made.