Francisco Fernández Marugán, a historic PSOE leader and interim Ombudsman, died on December 30, 2025, at age 79. Born in Cáceres in 1946, he served as a deputy for 29 years and contributed to Spain's transformation through his socialist commitment. PSOE leaders have highlighted his integrity and public service in tributes.
Francisco Fernández Marugán, known as Paco Marugán, died in the early hours of December 29 to 30, 2025, at age 79. A trained economist, he was born in Cáceres in 1946 but educated and raised in Madrid. He joined the PSOE in 1974 and began his parliamentary career in 1982 as a deputy for Sevilla, later representing Badajoz for seven legislatures until 2011, totaling 29 years in Congress.
Linked to the PSOE's guerrista sector, he joined the party's Executive in 1984. He took on temporary roles in Finance and as treasurer after the Filesa case, contributing to laws on party financing, strikes, and electoral programs. As a deputy for Badajoz, he negotiated budgets for Extremadura, upholding solidarity principles and securing amendments for regional projects, as recalled by Juan Carlos Rodríguez Ibarra, who describes him as a "benefactor and dear companion".
In 2017, following Soledad Becerril's resignation, he served interim as Ombudsman until November 11, 2021, when replaced by Ángel Gabilondo. During his tenure, he advocated for issues like immigration: "I don't believe in the pull effect; I believe in the push effect, so they come because life is better here than where they live," he told RNE. He also criticized social inequality: "No one can refute that we have a more unequal society than in 2008".
His death has prompted condolences from socialists. Pedro Sánchez praised him as "an example of public service, integrity, and commitment to citizenship. He built country, built party". The PSOE stated officially: "What an honor to have had you in our ranks... We will follow your way of doing and understanding politics with respect and affection". Emiliano García-Page called him "a great politician and an excellent deputy with an exemplary career". Others, like Rafael Simancas, remembered him as "a master of parliamentarism".
Marugán contributed to the PSOE that transformed Spain, according to Ibarra, who highlights his persistence and loyalty to Felipe González in tough times.
