On March 25, 2025, the Madrid City Council convened for a plenary session that began with a solemn minute of silence in memory of the four young individuals from Vallecas who tragically lost their lives in an accident at the port of Lunada, Cantabria. However, the atmosphere quickly turned heated, primarily revolving around the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and social policies implemented in Madrid.
Rita Maestre, the spokesperson for Más Madrid at the City Council, attended the session wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the number 7,291. This figure represents the elderly who died in Madrid's nursing homes without being transferred to hospitals during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maestre questioned Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida regarding his administration's social policies, which she criticized for neglecting vulnerable populations.
In response to Maestre's t-shirt statement, Almeida retorted, saying, "The social policies of the Madrid City Council matter to me about as much as your t-shirts and pins matter to you." This comment set the tone for a robust exchange that highlighted the growing tensions between the political factions.
Maestre fired back, emphasizing that no distractions from the Popular Party (PP) would erase the memory of the 7,291 victims who suffered undignified deaths in the nursing homes. She declared, "We will not stop until we achieve truth, justice, and restitution for their families." Her assertion echoed her willingness to hold the current administration accountable for its policies.
As the debate intensifed, Maestre criticized Almeida for his seemingly superficial focus on Madrid’s image rather than addressing pressing social issues. She pointed out that the recent murder of a 35-year-old social educator, Belén Cortés, was indicative of the precarious conditions faced in the social intervention sector.
"During the last month, a social educator was murdered at work. This death shook the social intervention sector. What would you have done if it happened in Madrid? Did you even bother to meet with social intervention workers whose voices have a right to be heard?" Maestre challenged Almeida.
She then highlighted the frustration expressed by social workers about the awarding of public contracts to the same firms. Maestre remarked on the low wages paid to municipal nursery school workers, stating they earn just 1,130 euros, while also pointing out the millions spent on hosting events like Formula 1, questioning the allocation of public funds.
In a firm defense of his administration, Almeida countered Maestre's claims by insisting that the city spends 283 euros per capita on social policies, a significant increase compared to 178 euros during the previous government led by Manuela Carmena, even as the population swelled by 120,000.
One of the main points of contention was the figure 7,291, which Almeida vehemently dismissed as "false and lying," accusing Maestre of disrespecting the memory of families who have lost loved ones. He rather provocatively asked, "How many lives could have been saved if you hadn’t insisted on attending the March 8th demonstration?" This reference to the controversial public gathering became a focal point for Almeida, who implied it may have contributed to the pandemic's spread.
Almeida further asserted, "We lack the data on how many Spaniards died because of this pandemic, a fact the 'indecent' government led by Pedro Sánchez has hidden from us." He concluded by placing the blame squarely on Sánchez for the national handling of the pandemic, saying he was the main person responsible.
The tensions in the plenary session also reverberated with political undercurrents between the PP and PSOE. After a week of heightened political friction, much of the council wore black shirts carrying the symbol '7,291 Victims' in protest against the treatment of elderly residents during the pandemic.
On the other side, socialists wore badges inscribed with “Verdad, dignidad y justicia,” symbolizing their call for truth and dignity regarding the victims. Almeida addressed Maestre’s team, suggesting, "Your agenda looks more like that of a 'socialite' than a public servant’s, highlighting a concerning disconnect from real municipal issues."
The session also saw Almeida displaying a photograph depicting prominent left-wing politicians, challenging Maestre to reflect on her political alignments.
As Maestre and Almeida continued to clash, one could feel the weight of grief underlying their arguments. Maestre's continuous insistence that the loved ones of the victims deserve acknowledgment and action resonated throughout the debate, while Almeida’s dismissive stance seemed to exacerbate the divisions between the parties.
In summary, the plenary session of March 25, 2025, revealed deep political divides centered around the management of the pandemic's fallout in Madrid, exposing ongoing tensions and heart-wrenching memorialization of the lives lost. With calls for transparency and accountability echoing in the council chambers, it was evident that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will remain a vital issue in Spanish politics for the foreseeable future.
