Madrid assembly clashes over public penthouse purchase and wildfire response during regional debate

Clash over Chamberí penthouse acquisition

The second day of the State of the Region Debate in the Assembly of Madrid centered on the acquisition of a luxury penthouse on Martínez Campos street in Chamberí by the public company Planifica Madrid. Opposition parties Más Madrid and the PSOE concentrated their speeches on the property, which is currently listed for sale at a minimum price of 6.7 million euros. Más Madrid spokesperson Manuela Bergerot demanded the release of all administrative records tied to the transaction, questioning the regional government's shifting explanations after officials first identified the site as a temporary office for Sol renovations before announcing its sale to fund emergency wildfire relief.

We do not care where she lives, nor with whom, nor where she sends her towels to be embroidered. What matters to us is that she pays for it out of her own pocket, what matters to us is that she does not rob us.

Popular Party secretary general Alfonso Serrano defended regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso, arguing that the presentation of her personal rental lease showed the property was not intended for her private use. Ayuso maintained that asset sales formed part of a broader real estate restructuring that saves Madrid taxpayers 7.5 million euros annually.

Wildfire recovery and public services

Discussions also addressed the aftermath of summer forest fires in the Sierra Oeste region, which burned more than 27,000 hectares across roughly 20 municipalities and affected over 55,000 residents. Socialist spokesperson Mar Espinar criticized the regional government's emergency preparedness, pointing out that the central government had to deploy the Military Emergencies Unit (UME) to take operational control during the crisis. Espinar linked the wildfire devastation to broader deficiencies in regional health, education, and forestry staffing.

The state of the Community, under your presidency, is summed up in five words: poor management for ordinary mortals and a good life for you, Mrs. Ayuso.

Espinar also criticized Ayuso's official international travel schedule, which included visits to New York, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Mexico.

Ayuso defends record and attacks opposition

Ayuso rejected allegations of personal enrichment during her speech to the regional chamber, asserting that her administration had activated emergency funds for displaced residents and livestock owners while freezing her own executive compensation.

They have tried to destroy me and my family personally. But I am one of the few regional presidents who pays for their own vacations and has a frozen salary. I do not live in palaces or in an official residence.

Ayuso countered opposition criticism by attacking the 2011 15M encampments at Puerta del Sol, comparing them to migrant camps in Ceuta, and alleging irregularities in voter registrations linked to nationality laws. Serrano added that the opposition possessed no governance alternative beyond social media commentary, reiterating support for the 100-measure policy package Ayuso introduced on the first day of the debate.