Crisis in Madrid Regional Government: Advisors Resign and Education Faction Collapses

The President of the Madrid Region, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, is facing an unprecedented wave of resignations within her closest political circle. The trigger was the decision to remove Education Minister Emilio Viciana from his post. Official reasons for the dismissal focus on the paralysis of work on the university bill, but behind-the-scenes reports point to the destructive influence of the so-called Los Pocholos group. This is a circle of young politicians loyal to Antonio Castillo Algarra, a playwright serving as a shadow advisor. As a result of the conflict, Mercedes Zarzalejo has taken over as the new head of the ministry, whose priority has become the complete rejection of the previous draft law and the development of a new model of public funding in agreement with university rectors. The crisis has also spread to the regional parliament, where three deputies associated with Viciana have resigned their seats. The situation is exacerbated by protests from students in Madrid's southern districts, who are demanding real investments in school infrastructure instead of personnel reshuffles. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who has been in power in Madrid since 2019, has built a reputation as an uncompromising politician, often clashing with the central government of Pedro Sánchez, which has strengthened her position as a leader of the conservative wing of the People's Party.On Wednesday morning, Antonio Castillo Algarra himself resigned, stepping down from his position as artistic director of the Ballet Español de la Comunidad de Madrid. This decision followed accusations of ideological pressure on the bilingual system in schools and blocking reforms. Government spokesperson Miguel Ángel García Martín confirmed that the current course in education will be adjusted, and the administration will focus on solving staffing and technical problems in educational institutions. „Fire from friends carries much more information than from an enemy and can cause far greater damage.” — Marta García Aller3 — People's Party deputies have resigned their seats in the regional assemblyMadrid Crisis Timeline: — ; — ; — ; — [{"aspect": "Main project", "before": "Controversial bill authored by Viciana", "after": "Rejection of the draft and creation of a new text"}, {"aspect": "Funding", "before": "Blockade of negotiations with university rectors", "after": "Priority financial agreement with universities"}, {"aspect": "Personnel", "before": "Influence of the so-called Pocholos group", "after": "Restoration of party control by Zarzalejo"}]