Madrid remains at the center of a high-profile investigation involving the country’s Attorney General, Álvaro García Ortiz, who is accused of potentially leaking confidential information related to the case of Alberto González Amador, the partner of the Madrid region president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. This time, Ayuso has chosen not to make any bold statements, limiting herself to expressing complete confidence in the judicial system and urging everyone not to interfere with the court’s work.
Unlike in the past, when she would openly comment on events, the regional leader has now adopted a reserved stance. Her remarks came after a public event at Santa Cristina Hospital, where journalists pressed her for a more detailed response about the situation surrounding her partner. That same day, her chief of staff, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, appeared in court and portrayed González Amador more as a victim of circumstance than a lawbreaker. According to Rodríguez, he tried to reach an agreement with the tax authorities but was not given the chance, making a court battle unavoidable.
During the hearings, it emerged that it was actually González Amador’s lawyer who took the initiative to strike a deal with the prosecution, contrary to what had previously been claimed in public. The lead prosecutor spoke about the defense’s attempts to delay the process and avoid giving testimony. In his view, after the summer of 2024, the defendant was no longer in a rush to find a compromise, instead trying to postpone his appearance in court.
Political turmoil surrounding the trial
Amid the ongoing courtroom battles, political tensions show no sign of abating. Ayuso seized the opportunity to draw attention to other high-profile investigations involving members of the central government. She referenced a report mentioning Minister for Territorial Policy Ángel Víctor Torres and his potential dealings with businessman Aldama over payments for medical masks. The minister has firmly denied these allegations and vowed to take Aldama to court.
In addition, the head of the Madrid region once again raised the issue of contracts related to relatives of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and reminded the public about the investigation into Extremadura candidate Miguel Ángel Gallardo. In her view, there is nothing left in the government that corruption hasn’t already tainted.
The impact of scandals on regional politics
That same day, Ayuso also commented on the resignation of Carlos Mazón, president of the Valencian Community. She stated that the opposition would not stop until they gained control over the region and linked recent events to long-standing political ambitions to create the so-called ‘Catalan Countries.’ According to her, any action taken by Mazón is immediately criticized, and the tragedy caused by the flooding has become a tool in the political struggle. Mazón resigned after a wave of accusations of inaction during the natural disaster that claimed more than two hundred lives.
This week’s legal and political developments have again highlighted just how closely personal and state interests are entwined in Spanish politics. The spotlight is not just on the fate of individual officials, but also on the broader issues of trust in institutions and the transparency of their actions.
