Madrid's PSOE calls for an extraordinary Assembly meeting after the regional government’s secretive purchase of a luxury penthouse in Chamberí. The opposition demands full disclosure and documentation from Ayuso’s team.
The political climate in Madrid intensified after the PSOE demanded an immediate session of the Assembly’s Permanent Deputation to address the regional government’s acquisition of a high-end penthouse in Chamberí. The controversy erupted when EL PAÍS revealed that the Community of Madrid, through its public company Planifica Madrid, had discreetly purchased a 485-square-metre penthouse at 35 Paseo del General Martínez Campos on April 14. The transaction remained undisclosed until the media uncovered it in the Property Registry and pressed the regional authorities for explanations.
Socialist representatives have sharply criticized the operation, describing it as a “sham” and insisting that all parliamentary initiatives seeking transparency on the matter be prioritized. They are specifically requesting access to public documents, including the justification report for the purchase, which they argue should have been available from the outset.
Mar Espinar, the PSOE spokesperson in the Assembly, accused President Isabel Díaz Ayuso of misleading the public and using public funds to shield herself from scrutiny. Espinar argued that the government’s explanations have been inconsistent, referencing both the acquisition of a summer residence in Rascafría and now a luxury winter property in Madrid. She called on Ayuso to urgently clarify the motivations behind the purchase and the related tender for renovation works at the Real Casa de Correos, which the regional government claims necessitated the penthouse acquisition.
Espinar further alleged that the president had been caught in a contradiction, maintaining that Ayuso continues to avoid the truth despite mounting public pressure. The PSOE’s demand for an extraordinary Assembly session aims to force the government to respond to questions that, according to the opposition, remain unanswered.
The Chamberí penthouse case has added to the ongoing scrutiny of the Ayuso administration’s property dealings. The issue has also drawn attention from other political figures, as seen when Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo raised concerns about the broader political climate and the penthouse controversy in a recent public intervention. The PSOE’s latest move signals that the debate over transparency and the use of public resources in Madrid is far from over.
For context, the Permanent Deputation of the Assembly of Madrid is responsible for urgent parliamentary matters when the Assembly is not in full session. The Chamberí district, known for its affluent residential areas, has become a focal point in this dispute. The case highlights ongoing tensions between the regional government and opposition parties over public spending and accountability. As the situation develops, further disclosures and political fallout are expected, with the Assembly’s response likely to set a precedent for future oversight of government property transactions in Madrid.
