The PSOE questions the legality of the 485 square metre penthouse acquired by the Community of Madrid in Chamberí for Ayuso's temporary office, understanding that the regulations only allow for residential use.
The Socialist Municipal Group in the Madrid City Council has called into question the legality of the penthouse acquired by the Community of Madrid in the Chamberí district. According to the Urban Planning spokesperson, Antonio Giraldo, the urban regulations of the building prevent that space from being used as an office, as it only allows its use as housing.
Giraldo explained that the applicable regulation establishes that in the penthouse "there can only be one dwelling" and that "the transformation into an office is not permitted in any case, whether it were tertiary or considered a public administration service use." The councillor specified that offices could only be installed up to the first floor, but the penthouse is excluded.
The acquisition of the property, revealed by the newspaper El País, occurred approximately three and a half months ago. The Community of Madrid has confirmed the purchase and stated that the space, measuring 485 square metres with a 200 square metre terrace, is intended to be the temporary office of the regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, while the Real Casa de Correos is being renovated.
"We demand that the Community of Madrid explain what this penthouse is for because if it is for an office, it will be an illegal office. If it is for living, they will have to explain who is going to live in that penthouse, will they have their personal office there – which is allowed – and how much money it has cost all of us madrileños to buy a home for someone to live in," Giraldo concluded.
The PSOE spokesperson in the City Council, Reyes Maroto, also expressed her views via the social network X: "Ayuso debuts another penthouse. This time, as a temporary office and paid for by the Community of Madrid. We are still waiting for them to explain how much this operation has cost."
Ayuso's new temporary office is located near the home where her mother currently resides, in the same Chamberí district where the controversial penthouse is located, where the president lives with her partner, Alberto González Amador. This latter property has been the subject of controversy due to a complaint from the Prosecutor's Office for alleged tax fraud.
The purchase of the penthouse has reignited the debate over the use of public funds for the acquisition of properties intended for high-ranking officials. While the regional government defends the need for an alternative space during the renovations of the Real Casa de Correos, the socialists insist on the opacity of the operation and the possible violation of urban regulations.
The Community of Madrid has not detailed the purchase amount, although sources from the regional government have assured that it is an acquisition in line with market prices. The controversy adds to other issues related to the president's and her partner's residence.
The PSOE has announced that it will bring the matter to the Madrid City Council Plenary to demand explanations and clarify the intended use of the penthouse. For the moment, the regional government has not responded to the accusations regarding the illegality of its use as an office.
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