Feijóo accepts the explanations of the Ayuso Government regarding the controversial penthouse in Chamberí and criticizes the Government's "obsession"

The president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, this Tuesday backed Isabel Díaz Ayuso's explanations regarding the controversial Chamberí penthouse. His defense includes, however, the recognition of the central problem of the operation. The Community of Madrid bought a property for 6.3 million euros that could not be used for the announced office.

Feijóo spoke during an interview with Susanna Griso on 'Espejo Público', on 'Antena 3'. The popular leader assured that Ayuso explained to him "from day one" that she was looking for a provisional space to install her cabinet during future works at the Real Casa de Correos, headquarters of the Madrid Presidency.

"She was not buying any official residence," he stated. According to his account, Ayuso herself personally informed him in April, before Planifica Madrid closed the acquisition. "She was looking for a place to put her office. End of quote," Feijóo concluded.

The president of the PP later admitted that the urban use of the property prevented it from being converted into administrative offices. "That's why I understand that the controversy continues," he acknowledged. He also pointed out that the Community's Heritage department will have to explain why it bought a property for a purpose that was not permitted.

A purchase executed by Planifica Madrid

The operation was carried out by Planifica Madrid, the public company dependent on the Ministry of the Presidency that paid 6.3 million for the penthouse on April 14. The body responsible for the purchase is chaired by the minister Miguel Ángel García Martín, one of Ayuso's main trusted men.

The property has 485 square meters, five bedrooms, six bathrooms and a terrace of almost 200 meters. It was never used as an office and its acquisition remained unknown to the public until the operation was revealed by the press. The Madrid government announced its sale just one day later.

Feijóo knew that the Community was looking for a temporary space, but his statements also do not clarify how much he knew about the chosen property, its price or the urban limitations. The popular president has directed the explanations towards Heritage, despite the fact that the purchase was approved and executed by Planifica Madrid.

The need to acquire a luxury home is also questioned by another piece of data known this Tuesday. The public company itself had a 478 square meter empty office next to Plaza de Castilla in April, barely seven meters smaller than the penthouse and equipped with offices, bathrooms, and administrative spaces.

Ayuso has shown an email and the draft rental contract for her current home to argue that she never wanted to move into the penthouse. This documentation supports that she was looking for a house on her own, but leaves pending explanations about the administrative decision to buy the property, the absence of a permitted use, and the discarding of other available public properties.

The penthouse reaches the Court of Accounts

Feijóo's support came on the same day that the Court of Accounts admitted the complaint filed by Más Madrid. The party asks to investigate whether the purchase could have caused a detriment to public funds, although the admission still lacks a ruling on the merits.

The property went up for auction with a minimum price of 6,694,201 euros. The deadline to submit offers ended this Monday and the Ayuso Government has not yet announced whether there is any buyer. Más Madrid estimates that the total cost of the acquisition could approach 6.68 million after adding taxes, notary fees, and other expenses.

Feijóo has also accused Pedro Sánchez's Government of maintaining an "obsession" with Ayuso and has called it an "improper exaggeration" that the PSOE wants to give lessons in decency. His defense ends where questions about Planifica Madrid begin, whose complete purchase file remains unpublished.

The Contracting Board will open the offers received for the penthouse this Wednesday. The Minister of the Presidency, Miguel Ángel García Martín, will have to appear next September 17 in the Madrid Assembly to explain why his public company spent 6.3 million on a home that could not fulfill the purpose used to justify its purchase.