A woman with Down’s syndrome has made history by being elected to Valencia’s regional assembly.
Mar Galceran, 45, became Spain’s first parliamentarian with Down’s syndrome last May.
She was added as the 20th candidate for the conservative People’s Party in Valencia’s election and obtained a seat, The Guardian reported.
“It’s unprecedented,” she said.
“Society is starting to see that people with Down’s syndrome have a lot to contribute. But it’s a very long road.”
Ms Galceran’s election comes three years after a woman with the disorder, Eleonore Laloux, was elected to the city council in the northern French town of Arras, and a year after Fintan Bray was elected to a senior political position in Ireland.
The Spanish media has reacted positively to Ms Galceran’s election, and People’s Party’s regional leader Carlos Mazon said it was “great news for politics, overcoming barriers”.
But Ms Galceron said online support had not been unanimous.
“There are people who support me. But there are others who think I’m not capable,” she said.
Down’s syndrome is the most common genetic intellectual disability, and 99% of sufferers have some form of mental impairment.