It is uncommon for politicians from opposing parties to publicly express agreement, yet this is precisely what transpired between the leaders of science and innovation from Galicia and Asturias. Román Rodríguez, a geographer from the People's Party (PP), and Borja Sánchez, a biologist from the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), recently celebrated a significant milestone: their respective regions have emerged as frontrunners in the investment growth in research, development, and innovation (R&D+i) across Spain. Historically, both Galicia and Asturias, regions in northwest Spain governed predominantly by the PP and PSOE, have lagged behind major innovation hubs such as the Basque Country, Madrid, and Catalonia. However, recent efforts have resulted in a remarkable turnaround. According to data from the National Statistics Institute for 2023, Galicia has recorded an impressive growth rate of 28.2%, closely followed by Asturias at 28.1%. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given that 2023 marked a historic year for national investment in R&D+i, with an overall increase of 16%, leading to a total expenditure of EUR22.379 billion, equivalent to 1.49% of Spain's GDP. Both Rodríguez and Sánchez have dedicated decades to their political careers and have held their current positions for several years. Interestingly, they had never met until now, when they participated in an interview organized by the Cotec Foundation to discuss the scientific and technological boom occurring in their regions. Rodríguez, serving as the Conselleiro of Education, Science, Universities, and Vocational Training, noted that prior to last year, the term 'science' had not been included in the organizational structure of the Xunta de Galicia. This change came about following a decision by the President of the Xunta, Alfonso Rueda, to centralize scientific competencies. However, Rodríguez emphasized that the shift in Galicia's mindset regarding science began in 2011, as the region recognized the obsolescence of traditional economic sectors and the need to invest in research and technology transfer. In 2023, Galicia allocated EUR963 million to R&D+i, nearly double the amount invested a decade ago, representing an increase of EUR212 million compared to the previous year. This commitment has elevated Galicia's position within Spain, making it the seventh highest investing community in R&D+i. While Asturias, with only one public university, the University of Oviedo, has a smaller budget, its increase of EUR61 million in a single year is proportionately significant. Both regions, while still trailing behind leaders in per capita spending like the Basque Country, Madrid, and Catalonia, are making substantial strides toward narrowing the gap. Both ministers attribute their regions' advancements in R&D+i to tangible success stories. Asturias, which began its investment in R&D+i later than Galicia, has had to maximize limited resources, as Sánchez revealed. Having known the President of Asturias, Adrián Barbón, since childhood, Sánchez has been instrumental in steering the region towards scientific innovation since his appointment as minister in 2019. A standout program in Asturias focuses on attracting scientists from abroad by offering unique projects that cannot be found elsewhere, such as facilities designed to simulate lunar volcanic tunnels, drawing interest from researchers associated with NASA. Additionally, Asturias has implemented a funding model that covers 50% of the costs for both local and non-local companies to establish R&D centers in the region. Since 2019, the number of such centers has risen from two to sixteen, with prominent firms like ArcelorMittal and Alsa participating, and an influx of up to 400 researchers engaging in these initiatives. Meanwhile, Galicia has made significant strides in public procurement of cutting-edge technologies that are not yet available on the market. This strategy aims to modernize a diverse array of sectors. One of its flagship projects involves creating a unique educational record for each student equipped with predictive artificial intelligence to identify potential dropout risks or suggest career reorientations. As Galicia prepares for a year expected to yield numerous innovative projects, Rodríguez, a long-time member of the PP, has held various governmental roles since 1999, with a focus on education and scientific advancement. He is currently overseeing the launch of Qmio, one of the most powerful quantum computers in southern Europe, as part of the Galician Supercomputing Center (Cesga). The ongoing progress in R&D+i at both national and regional levels is significantly bolstered by European recovery funds. Despite receiving less funding compared to Italy, Spain's investment in R&D+i relative to its GDP has increased, while Italy's has decreased. This effective utilization of funds has propelled Spain to 16th place among the 27 EU countries in R&D+i investment. However, experts caution that sustained growth is necessary for at least four more years to match the EU's average spending per capita of EUR862, nearly double Spain's figure. Concerns loom regarding the potential decline in progress after 2026 when European subsidies are expected to diminish. Recently, Mario Draghi warned that Europe requires EUR800 billion for reindustrialization and innovation to remain competitive against the United States and China, leaving uncertainties about funding sources. On a more localized level, both Rodríguez and Sánchez believe that continued growth is achievable through a national agreement among major political parties to establish a consistent investment plan spanning five to seven years. Such an agreement could stabilize the system and move away from the historical fluctuations in Spain's scientific and innovation landscape. Although many parties have previously endorsed a national pact for science, achieving consensus has proven elusive. Asturias is currently drafting a law to establish a seven-year funding framework, aiming for approval in 2025. Sánchez expressed optimism about the possibility of collaboration among regions to achieve this goal, with Rodríguez agreeing on the importance of unity in advancing R&D+i efforts.