Madrid's Ayuso Defends Personal Travel Expenses Amid Controversy
The Government of the Community of Madrid, led by President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, stated on Wednesday that Ayuso fully finances her personal travel and expenses, contrasting her behavior with that of other political figures. This claim was reiterated by Miguel Ángel García Martín, Minister of Presidency, Justice, and Local Administration, in response to allegations from Cadena Ser that Ayuso's partner, Alberto González Amador, attempted to deduct vacation expenses.
Reports have emerged suggesting that Ayuso used public funds to book the official lounge for authorities at Barajas Airport for her personal trips, coinciding with her official duties. During a press conference, García Martín asserted, "All expenses incurred by the president of the Community of Madrid during her personal trips are paid by her. She does not travel on a Falcon like others do," alluding to the official aircraft used by other politicians.
García Martín exclusively affirmed that Ayuso's travels and expenses are personal, yet he did not deny that the lounge reservation for a private trip was charged to public funds, as documented. He condemned the opposition, particularly the PSOE, accusing them of corruption involving scandalous expenditures that have tainted the dignity of public office.
Furthermore, he raised concerns regarding the privacy of personal information disclosed by those in political positions. He questioned how Deputy Prime Minister María Jesús Montero—who should not have access to such private data—could make proclamations about Ayuso's finances. García Martín emphasized that the law punishes the unauthorized revelation of personal information, suggesting that misusing confidential data is not simply a political maneuver but a legal offense.
In her address at the Congress of Deputies, Montero highlighted that tax offenses cannot be concealed through false invoices and that personal purchases, like luxury items and extravagant trips, are inappropriate expenses. This ongoing dispute underscores the tension between personal conduct and public accountability among Spain's political elite amid a backdrop of increased scrutiny over financial propriety in governance.
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