Madrid Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso cancelled her vacation to meet wildfire victims while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez took holiday, columnist Francisco Marhuenda reported on August 5, 2026. Marhuenda defended Ayuso against left-wing political and media campaigns regarding a penthouse acquired by a Madrid public company in the Chamberí district.
According to Marhuenda, no report indicated that the property would be used by the regional president. He stated that he has known Ayuso for many years and considers it impossible that she would directly or indirectly authorize the purchase of a flat for her personal use, adding that she has never done so despite having had the opportunity.
Marhuenda noted that media outlets linked to sanchismo criticized Ayuso over the acquisition. He added that the political and media left accepts ministers enjoying luxury apartments with all expenses covered by public funds.
Public resource use and government ethics
Marhuenda criticized the lack of media interest in what he described as the use and abuse of public resources by Pedro Sánchez and his family for personal interests. He stated that official events were organized to justify using Falcon aircraft and helicopters for trips to concerts and other leisure activities.
Spaniards pay annually for vacation expenses for Sánchez that are more fitting for a billionaire than a public servant who ought to set an example, according to Marhuenda. He contrasted Sánchez and his ministers vacationing on beaches with Ayuso suspending her holiday to meet with people affected by wildfires.
Marhuenda also noted that socialist regional presidents travel internationally in luxury while criticizing Ayuso for traveling to Mexico to seek investment for Madrid. He described the current administration as surrounded by corruption scandals, clientelism, and financial deals for friends, accusing the government of breaching the Constitution and raiding public administration as well as public and private companies.
Border security in Ceuta
Regarding media coverage, Marhuenda argued that journalists should prioritize ethics over partisanship. He stated that no journalists demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Marlaska over what he termed the invasion of Ceuta, where the border remains under reinforced surveillance, while media outlets demand Ayuso resign over minor matters.
Francisco Marhuenda is a numerical academician of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation of Spain and of the Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain, a corresponding academician of the Royal Academy of History, and a professor of public law and history of institutions at UNIE.
