What the pandemic gave him, the PP national spokesperson took from him. And after holding the honorary title of mayor of Spain, José Luis Martínez-Almeida (Madrid, 1975) suffered a drop in popularity due to his role in the internal war of the PP that ended with the purge of the previous national leadership of the party . Expiated the guilt, Isabel Díaz Ayuso decided to keep him as a candidate for mayor of Madrid and this 28-M aspires to a re-election that the polls grant him as long as he has the support of Vox. An uncomfortable partner with whom he has ended up fed up in this legislature.
The pandemic, Filomena... How do you see Madrid?
It has been a very difficult four years, but I think that Madrid is one of those places in the world, I would say one of the few, that currently sees the future with more optimism and more confidence than it did in 2019. It shows in the people, in the environment. And that is the first responsibility of someone who has to exercise government: Leaving a better city than the one they received.
And what grade do you give your coalition government with Cs?
We have shown that coalition governments can function without having to fight every day. And despite the fact that both formations have had serious problems, we have always maintained a single government. I give it a very good grade.
This cohabitation has delayed some of their projects. Which is more urgent?
The burying of the A-5, the old highway of Extremadura, at its entrance to Madrid. Some neighbors threw it in my face. That's right. I can only apologize for having breached that commitment.
What else do the people of Madrid ask for through the WhatsApp that the mayor has opened?
That we prepare certain sidewalks, that we advance in mobility, that we improve traffic... Things that may seem very basic but are truly relevant to citizens.
And some shade for the renovated Puerta del Sol?
It is true that there is a great debate and debates are always good. But right now the Puerta del Sol is better than it was because it is completely pedestrianized. But it is true that we are studying alternatives such as the placement of awnings in the event of specific episodes of high temperatures.
Another of the great projects that have aroused the most interest is that of Formula 1.
A good project is being articulated that has an important return in economic and image terms. I see it feasible.
Would it conflict with the Catalunya Grand Prix?
What we want is, simply, for Madrid to have the opportunity to have a Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is not a question of taking it away from Catalonia, far from it. It's not what we want.
Do you trust to repeat in the mayor's office?
All polls give us a large majority.
And to what do you attribute that Ayuso has better forecasts?
I think that, on the one hand, it is due to the memory of voting for a party like Ciudadanos, which is in the City Council but not in the Assembly. And on the other, to the overwhelming victory of the president of the Community just two years ago, when there were no municipal elections.
Do you feel controlled by Ayuso after the inclusion of three of his advisers on his lists?
Absolutely. It's been a very smooth list-building process. In addition, in Madrid there have always been people who have moved from the City Council to the Community and vice versa.
At some point, did you consider signing Vice Mayor Villacís?
No offer was made.
And they did it to you?
It is public and notorious what happened. But there is no need to turn around. We will compete at the polls with the conviction of having formed a good government.
Why does the PP campaign have so many national references?
Because it is a bit absurd to say that what happens in Spain does not matter in Madrid. Therefore it is logical that we also have a debate that acquires national overtones. And if the Madrid left does not want to talk about national politics, it is because, perhaps, they are not convinced by what the central government is doing.
Are you talking about EH Bildu?
I am talking about the pacts reached by the Government and the partners it has chosen. I trust that the polls will tell Pedro Sánchez that we do not like his policies and his way of understanding the government in Madrid.
All the candidates coincide in pointing to housing as the great challenge. What is the solution?
Increase the offer. The procedures for construction must be expedited by promoting it from the Municipal Company or by giving plots owned by the City Council to developers. And you have to unblock the urban developments. Madrid is going to be the first city in Europe to build affordable housing in the next four years.
In the meantime, can capping the rent be a solution?
Capping prices has not worked where it has occurred. And I give the example of Barcelona where, in 2022, the rent rose twice the average than in the city of Madrid.
Is a great housing pact possible in Madrid?
It is not that it is possible, it is that in Spain there should be great pacts. And there aren't any because there is a PSOE with Sánchez at its head that constantly disdains the ability to reach state agreements with the other great political pillar that is the PP. I think that the Spanish and also the people of Madrid miss the fact that agreements can be reached on certain issues.
The opposition accuses him of not ending the inequality between the central zone and the periphery
The solution does not go through confronting neighborhoods. My goal is that the people of Madrid have the same quality of life and the same opportunities wherever they live. In this legislature we have launched 47 new facilities and most of them are in the southern and eastern districts, which are the ones that need it the most. That is real and effective politics and not confrontation.
Is it possible that PP and Vox reach agreements in Cibeles given their notorious breakup?
I see it complicated with the Javier Ortega Smith of this legislature. In addition to putting the interests of the party before those of Madrid, by blocking the budgets, he made the mistake of not being useful.
One of those serious problems to which he alluded at the beginning of the interview is known as the 'case of the masks'
Justice has ruled out any criminal responsibility of the City Council.
What went wrong for you to be a victim of that scam?
You have to put yourself in that moment. If the State and the communities had a difficult time acquiring masks, I am not saying a city council, even if it was the one in Madrid. We had, and I can say so, real desperation to acquire medical supplies and that scam occurred. And apart from claiming every last cent [hours after this interview was held, the Prosecutor's Office set the amount at 6 million euros as explained here], we have taken note so that a scam with everyone's money never occurs again.
