Increased pressure for Barreiros resignation

Not everything legal is ethical. This notion has been insisted on many times during the past several days, and events have backed them. How can anyone justify Isabel Barreiro, wife of Spain's Minister of the Exterior, getting a job on the managing committee of GlaxoSmithKline after leaving her position as the Madrid government's healthcare adviser. She played a role in the lab winning a cushy 5-million euro contract for HPV (Human Papillovirus) vaccinations.

Barreiro has been important for GlaxoSmithKline, which quickly capitalized on her appointment. The Madrid government explains that the purchase of vaccines, especially those that are mandatory, was up for public bidding and went to Barreiros because her company offered the lowest price. This was the only criteria that was on the table during negotiations according to Madrid and the region's official reports. The purchase calls attention to the public healthcare debate and officials' monomaniacal focus on costs. Money is important, but is not the only factor to take into account. Barreiro's husband, Minister García-Margallo, did not comment on his wife's arrival at Glaxo soon after her work for the Madrid government. The minister claims that she was appointed before he was named to his role.

This is not a valid excuse, but ignoring reality. Barreiro should step down from her position at Glaxo because the issues that keep cropping up put her in a shaky situation that threatens the reputation of her husband, the Madrid government and the Peoples' Party.