Lorenzo Cotino nominated head of Spain’s Data Protection Agency

The Spanish Government has proposed constitutional law professor Lorenzo Cotino Hueso to the Congress of Deputies as the next president of the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD), succeeding Mar España, who led the independent authority for nearly a decade.

Cotino Hueso, a professor at the University of Valencia, brings a strong academic and professional background. He holds a doctorate in law and advanced degrees in fundamental rights and political science. His extensive research and teaching experience focus on privacy, data protection, and transparency. He has also served as a magistrate and consultant on artificial intelligence (AI) regulations and privacy compliance.

Additionally, the government has nominated Antonio Troncoso Reigada as the AEPD’s deputy president. Troncoso, a constitutional law professor at the University of Cádiz and former director of Madrid’s Data Protection Agency, has received multiple awards for his contributions to privacy and data protection.

Both candidates will appear before the Congressional Justice Committee to present their plans and undergo evaluation. Following this, a parliamentary vote will determine their appointment, requiring a qualified majority to ensure broad consensus.

The nominations aim to uphold transparency, independence, and adherence to Spain’s data protection laws.