Reyes Maroto and Enma López measure forces this Thursday in the debate prior to the vote that will decide the leadership of the PSOE of Madrid

The race for the leadership of the PSOE in the Madrid City Council faces one of its decisive moments this Thursday. The socialist spokesperson, Reyes Maroto, and councilwoman Enma López will star in a debate organized within the primary process with which both will seek to convince the militancy before the vote scheduled for this Sunday.

The meeting will be held starting at 12:00 p.m. and will be divided into four blocks dedicated to the city model, housing, urban planning and mobility, public services management, and municipal political strategy. Beyond the proposals, the face-to-face will serve for each candidate to present the project with which she aspires to lead Madrid socialism in the coming years.

The event takes place after several days marked by the exchange of reproaches between both aspirants. Maroto questioned López's decision to present her candidacy a few days before the Debate on the State of the City and the PSOE Federal Committee, a decision she described as a lack of "loyalty". Despite this climate of tension, both candidates have insisted that they face the debate with the intention of focusing the discussion on the proposals. Maroto will place housing as one of the axes of her candidacy and will defend measures aimed at curbing real estate speculation, including the expulsion of tourist flats and the protection of public land to promote affordable housing.

From running mates to rivals in the primaries

The internal campaign of the Madrid PSOE has hardened the confrontation between Reyes Maroto and Enma López as the militancy's vote approaches. The socialist spokesperson in the City Council has reproached her rival for the way she presented her candidacy and has even described the decision to compete for municipal leadership as a "lack of loyalty". According to Maroto, the announcement occurred at a particularly delicate moment for the party and prioritized personal prominence over the collective project.

The former minister has also defended that all endorsements presented during the process have the same value, after López highlighted the support obtained through the telematic system. For Maroto, establishing differences between the supports registered in person and those issued digitally means undermining the legitimacy of part of the militancy's commitment.

Frente a esas críticas, López ha rechazado que presentarse a unas primarias pueda interpretarse como un gesto de deslealtad. "Nunca he entendido la democracia y la libertad como una forma de deslealtad", respondió la concejala, quien sostiene que la competición interna debe servir para fortalecer al PSOE y construir una alternativa con la que recuperar la Alcaldía de Madrid.