Passions flared again in the Madrid parliament on Thursday. The return of Isabel Díaz Ayuso after her trip to Austin (Texas) sparked heated debate. Her visit coincided with her birthday, something the opposition did not overlook. Ayuso explained that the trip was related to preparations for a future Formula 1 stage in the capital and emphasized that such visits bring investment to the region. At the same time, she criticized Pedro Sánchez for the inefficiency of his international trips.
The discussion quickly escalated into a verbal duel between representatives of different parties. The chamber echoed with mutual accusations and sarcastic remarks. At one point, former Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena was unexpectedly mentioned. The dispute was particularly tense between Miguel Ángel García and Emilio Delgado of Más Madrid. Their altercation became personal, with accusations of absenteeism and unjustified payments. Delgado even called his opponent ‘insignificant,’ prompting the Assembly president to allocate extra time for the debate to continue.
The issue of historical memory was also in the spotlight. The Sánchez government’s decision to designate the Real Casa de Correos building as a site of democratic memory drew criticism from Ayuso’s team. She suggested placing commemorative plaques criticizing Sánchez on buildings in Moncloa and on Ferraz Street. On the same day, other pressing issues were also discussed: the investigation into Attorney General Álvaro García-Ortiz and possible violations by Ayuso’s partner, Alberto González Amador. The regional leader accused the central government of attempting to protect its own through a large-scale state operation.
There were also clashes with members of the Vox party. Ayuso and Isabel Pérez-Moñino argued about migration, mental health, and drug issues. The regional leader insisted that increasing addiction rates are linked to the influence of social media and constitute a global problem.
The Socialists also weighed in. Mar Espinar questioned the appropriateness of Ayuso’s visit to Formula 1 and asked who paid for the tickets. Issues also arose regarding the financial state of the Universidad Complutense and the level of investment in education under the current regional government.
Overall, the atmosphere in the Assembly remained characteristically tense. The opposition and the government exchanged sharp remarks, but no deputies were ejected. The ongoing confrontation between Madrid’s leadership and the central government once again took center stage.
