Almeida defends Ayuso over Chamberí apartment scandal at Madrid's Virgen de la Paloma festivities
Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida broke his summer break on August 15 to defend regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso over the Chamberí apartment scandal at the Virgen de la Paloma festivities, as both leaders attacked Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez over the Ceuta migration crisis.
Virgen de la Paloma festivities
On August 15, 2026, Madrid celebrated the feast of the Virgen de la Paloma, the unofficial patron saint of the city and patron of firefighters. Regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso and mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida attended together, presenting a united front at a time when Ayuso faces mounting pressure over the purchase of an apartment in the Chamberí district. The two leaders presided over the delivery of the Palomas de Bronce de Bomberos de Madrid awards at the Centro Cultural Casa del Reloj in Arganzuela. Earlier they attended a floral offering and Mass at the Iglesia de la Virgen de la Paloma y San Pedro el Real, presided by Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid José Cobo. The awards recognized Juan José Mostajo Abraira for a lifetime of public service, the Club Deportivo Bomberos de Madrid for 30 years of history, Dr. Mariano Barbacid for international leadership in cancer research, and Audrey Pascual Seco for sporting excellence. A plaque was also given to sergeant Félix Alfonso Alonso Yllana, who carried out the traditional descent of the Virgen's painting days before his retirement.
Almeida defends Ayuso
Almeida broke his summer break to defend Ayuso, stating that if the left's entire electoral program for the 2027 elections is the apartment issue, Ayuso will remain in power for a long time. He praised Ayuso for not taking a single day of vacation during the wildfires in the Sierra Oeste, contrasting her with "others" who are on holiday and "protected by a strong security detail," a clear reference to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The apartment was purchased in April and sold in August, according to Almeida, who said all explanations had been given by both Ayuso and her counselor on multiple occasions.
If the entire argument of the left with which they are going to present themselves in the 2027 elections, barely nine months before the elections, is the apartment issue... there is Ayuso for a long time to come, let them be clear, there is Ayuso for a long time to come.
Legal and political pressure
The Madrid Provincial Prosecutor's Office has forwarded four denuncias to a court that has opened proceedings over the purchase of the Chamberí apartment. The left-wing opposition, including Más Madrid and the PSOE, has repeatedly demanded Díaz Ayuso's resignation, considering her explanations insufficient. Reyes Maroto, spokesperson for the PSOE-M in the City Council and proclaimed as the socialist candidate for the regional elections on July 19 after winning primaries against councillor Enma López, also attended the festivities. Rita Maestre, spokesperson for Más Madrid, demanded better working conditions, more personnel, and adequate infrastructure for firefighters.
- Regional government purchases apartment (ático) in Chamberí district
- Reyes Maroto proclaimed PSOE candidate for regional elections after winning primaries
- Almeida's last public appearance, visiting wildfire victims in Sierra Oeste
- Apartment sold; Fiscalía forwards four denuncias to court over the purchase
- Virgen de la Paloma festivities: Almeida defends Ayuso, both attack Sánchez over Ceuta
Ayuso attacks Sánchez over Ceuta
Ayuso used the occasion to attack the central government over the migration crisis in Ceuta, which articles describe as an arrival of 80,000 people from Morocco. She stated that Spain has maintained terror alert level 4 out of 5 for 11 years and accused Sánchez of allowing the country to be "invaded by many terrorists he does not want to identify."
He is irresponsible and also a traitor.
She also asked for those affected by wildfires who have lost properties, animals, and homes across Madrid and all of Spain, and promised "an unprecedented reconstruction."
Opposition voices
The opposition figures present used the occasion to highlight firefighters' working conditions. Maestre praised the effort of firefighters during a "terribly hard" end of season due to the Sierra Oeste wildfires. Maroto called for budgets to incorporate measures to combat and prevent fires. Former Vox councillor Javier Ortega Smith, now an unaffiliated councillor, asked for protection for firefighters and forest agents who acted with bravery during the terrible months of fires across Spain. Vox, through its spokesperson Arancha Cabello, has used the Ceuta crisis to intensify its anti-immigration discourse, accusing both the left and Ayuso's government of creating a pull effect.
