[7][8] She left Osakidetza in 2015, in order to serve as Deputy for Social Services in the Provincial Council of Álava.

She resigned in 2016, upon being named Minister of Employment and Social Policies by lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu for his second government.

After the 2020 Basque regional election, Artolazabal continued as Minister of Equality, Justice and Social Policies in the Third Urkullu Government.

In autumn 2022, media speculation grew regarding the Basque National Party's list of candidates to contest the May 2023 local and foral elections.

Various outlets pointed to Artolazabal as a potential candidate to replace Gorka Urtaran for the Vitoria-Gasteiz mayoral contest.