Mercedes Zarzalejo, the newly appointed Education Minister for the Community of Madrid, is receiving a spotlight as her credentials are being scrutinized in contrast to her predecessor's younger, inexperienced team dubbed Los Pocholos. The narrative pushed by Miguel Ángel Rodríguez's team tries to highlight her academic achievements while downplaying the fact that most of her career has been entwined in politics rather than education or administrative roles specific to the education sector.

Despite the embellishment of her resume, there seems to be a level of comfort among Madrid's university rectors regarding Zarzalejo's appointment compared to that of Emilio Viciana, her predecessor. This is primarily because Zarzalejo possesses a basic understanding of university management, which contrasts with the prior group that lacked experience. This situation reflects broader tensions within Madrid's political landscape, where education policy and ministerial appointments are pivotal for shaping the future of the region's institutions.

Zarzalejo's association with politics could provoke further criticism, especially from those who question whether her curriculum vitae genuinely reflects qualifications relevant to the educational context. As the political sphere in Madrid navigates issues of governance and effective management in education, the implications of her appointment will likely reverberate throughout the state's policies and priorities for educational reform.