Sara Buesa, the new head of the Vice-Ministry of Employment and Inclusion

The Governing Council of the Basque Government approved the relief of senior officials within the Department of Economy, Labor and Employment at its meeting on September 8, 2026, and appointed Sara Buesa Rodríguez as the new Deputy Minister for Employment and Inclusion. The change was published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country (BOPV) number 174, on September 11, 2026, in the “Authorities and Personnel” section, through three decrees: 139/2026, 140/2026, and 141/2026.

Resignations and Appointment

Decree 139/2026, of September 8, removes Alfonso Gurpegui Ruiz from his position as Deputy Minister for Employment and Inclusion, effective September 14. Similarly, Decree 140/2026 removes Sara Buesa Rodríguez from the position of Director of Inclusion, as she moves to hold another position within the Administration, which will also take effect on September 14.

Finally, Decree 141/2026 appoints Sara Buesa Rodríguez as Deputy Minister for Employment and Inclusion, effective from September 15. The three decrees were signed in Vitoria-Gasteiz by President Imanol Pradales Gil and Miguel Torres Lorenzo, Second Vice President of the Government and Minister of Economy, Labor and Employment.

Legal Basis

The relief was carried out based on articles 18.j), 26.6, and 29 of Law 7/1981, of June 30, the Government Law, upon the proposal of the Second Vice President of the Government and Minister of Economy, Labor and Employment, and following the prior deliberation and approval of the Governing Council.

• Decree 139/2026: Resignation of Deputy Minister Alfonso Gurpegui Ruiz, from September 14.
• Decree 140/2026: Resignation of Inclusion Director Sara Buesa Rodríguez, from September 14.
• Decree 141/2026: Appointment of Sara Buesa Rodríguez as Deputy Minister, from September 15.

Significance of the Relief

Sara Buesa Rodríguez moves to the leadership of the deputy ministry after previously serving as Director of Inclusion, providing continuity to the department’s social policy and employment management. The changes have a direct impact on the structure of senior officials in the Department of Economy, Labor and Employment, and will be fully effective from mid-September.

This relief falls within the usual dynamics of senior official management and brings a significant change in the direction of the deputy ministry, which will influence the development of public policies in the area of employment and social inclusion.

Source: Official Gazette of the Basque Country, number 174, September 11, 2026, Authorities and Personnel – Appointments, situations and incidents (official references: 2026/3852, 2026/3853 and 2026/3854).