Madrid Assembly Member Faces Backlash Over Remarks on Protests

Tensions escalated in the Madrid Assembly on Thursday after Jimena González, a deputy for the Más Madrid party, invoked the so-called "French way" during a floor debate. While addressing the regional government's stance on ongoing housing protests in the Puerta del Sol, González suggested that President Isabel Díaz Ayuso might prefer if citizens entered the Real Casa de Correos—the seat of the regional government—and "set it on fire."

The remarks were made during a session focused on public employee issues, following a month of protests in the capital. González defended the encampment in the Puerta del Sol as a peaceful and civic demonstration, contrasting it with the government's criticism of the protesters. Her comments drew immediate condemnation from the regional executive, with officials labeling the rhetoric as an incitement to violence.

The President of the Madrid Assembly, Enrique Ossorio, formally requested that González retract her statements from the official record, describing them as "extremely serious." Ossorio emphasized that political discourse must never be interpreted as an encouragement to violence, noting that he had previously urged all parliamentary groups to avoid such language. Despite the formal request, González refused to withdraw her remarks, maintaining that she was defending the constitutional right to strike.

In response to the incident, the Popular Party (PP) announced plans to expand an existing legal complaint against the Más Madrid leadership. Carlos Díaz-Pache, the PP spokesperson in the Assembly, characterized the rhetoric as "intolerable" and accused the opposition of fostering a climate of violence. The party intends to include González's comments in a police report that was previously filed against the party's spokesperson, Manuela Bergerot, regarding earlier statements that there would be "no peace in the streets."

The reference to the "French way" alludes to recent civil unrest in France, where protests against the rising cost of living have resulted in property damage, including the burning of public buildings, and numerous injuries. The Madrid regional government has expressed deep concern over the potential for similar escalation in Spain, particularly as the city continues to deal with an indefinite education strike and the long-standing housing encampment in the city center.

The legislative body is now considering potential disciplinary actions against González. Sources indicated that the Assembly's governing board will review the official transcript of the session to determine if the deputy's words warrant formal sanctions. The incident highlights the growing political polarization in Madrid, as both the government and the opposition trade accusations of inflammatory behavior ahead of upcoming electoral periods.