Juan Lobato Today he had one of his last opportunities to justify himself within the PSOE, which faces the federal congress and then the regional one in Madrid, in the middle of an internal debate on leadership in this region. The secretary general of the Madrid socialists took advantage of his turn in the debate on the state of the region to make an amendment to Ayuso’s entire management and to ardently defend the management of the Sánchez government and the PSOE’s “bet” for Madrid. “I don’t know if they gave you the speech from La Moncloa,” Ayuso said later.
Lobato warned Ayuso that “his obsession with Pedro Sánchez buries him a little more every day. “He insults more and more and counts for less and less.” “That will be his main legacy, his hatred towards Pedro Sánchez, and not against his management,” stressed Lobato, who demanded respect from the president of the government. “A lot of blockages, a lot of obsession with Sánchez but little real commitment on his part.”
The spokesman for the Madrid socialists defended that “Spain is not broken” and defended the management of the Sánchez government, with “an economic growth double that of Europe, total control of inflation, record employment data, higher wages and stable jobs, surpluses.” …
Lobato dedicated himself to defending the management of the Sánchez government and “the PSOE’s commitment to Madrid.” He gave some examples, such as that of dependency: “Do you remember when you said that the Spanish government had not contributed what it was entitled to in terms of dependency? “I was lying and you know it.” The Spanish government’s contributions to finance the long-term care system will reach 783 million in 2024, according to what he announced. “The historical record. Madrid received 99 million in 2023 and 102 million in 2024.
He also defended the Sánchez government on foreign policy and criticized with particular attention the position of the PP and Ayuso towards Venezuela. “Do you know how many political prisoners Mr. Aznar, Rajoy, Feijoo or yourself have managed to free? None, ZERO. Do you know how many political prisoners the PSOE government has managed to free? 80,” he began by saying. “When you say that Maduro must be removed from power, what has the Rajoy government done during its 7 years of presidency? “It has done nothing.”
“You are not defending Venezuela, you simply hate Pedro Sánchez and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. That is the only thing,” Lobato assured.
Also on immigration, he attacked Ayuso, whom he accused of being “superficial” due to her “embarrassing” position on this issue. He recalled that without migration, there would be no pensions. That’s for starters. Thus, he regretted her permanent “superficiality” on a crucial issue where Madrid should be “the epicentre of the reception and integration policies of all of Spain”.
The “chronic obsession” that he has, according to him, with Sánchez, leads Ayuso to maintain an institutional disloyalty and not want to meet him. “Hatred and anger against Pedro Sánchez” are, according to her, the only thing that guides her.
More criticism of the regional president’s management: Lobato summed up Ayuso’s proposal on health centers: “Announce the announcement announced when it was announced.” “It is not possible that it will take us a few months to build Zendal and 20 years to build a health center,” he denounced.
Psychotherapy sessions
One of Lobato’s flagship proposals has been that all Madrid residents diagnosed with psychotherapy should receive 12 free sessions per year. He proposes that, temporarily, until the mental health services of Sermas can assume and guarantee with their own resources and capacities adequate and sufficient care and treatment, Madrid residents will be able to deduct up to 40 percent of the expenses paid for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses up to a maximum of 850 euros per year.
In Education, he made another proposal: “I propose that we increase the salary of secondary school teachers by 300 euros per month for nursery and primary schools and by 350 euros per month so that teachers in Madrid are recognised with the dignity they should have.” The PSOE wants this to be achieved between 2025 and 2026. Its cost, according to him, is sustainable: 217 million euros.
Lobato also attacked Ayuso for cases of corruption. Thus, Ayuso’s “family” commented. His “mother” is Esperanza Aguirre and his brothers are Paco (Granados), Nacho (González) and Alfredo (Prada). “And you are his heir. “You must apologize and recognize your mistakes,” he warned, regarding the different cases of corruption that have affected the PP.
In the guest gallery, no trace of a performance by Ferraz. Yes, Madrid MPs Mercedes González, María Sainz, Víctor Gutiérrez and Isaura Leal were there. In addition, Reyes Maroto, Guillermo Hita (spokesperson for Arganda), Javier Castillo (spokesperson for Torrejón), Antonia Alcazar (mayor of Velilla de San Antonio), Juan Antonio Martinez (mayor of Fuendidueña de Tajo), Sara Hernandez (Mayor of Getafe), Sara Gutiérrez (Councillor of Soto del Real), Javier Corpa (Mayor of San Fernando de Henares) and Candelaria Testa (Mayor of Alcorcón). Fuenlabrada Mayor Javier Ayala, Lobato’s main critic, did not attend the Assembly. Yes, the government delegate, Francisco Martín, was present.
Ayuso’s reply
In her response, President Ayuso wanted to talk about national politics. “I don’t know if they gave her the speech from Moncloa,” he commented ironically. “You must not only submit to the control of Moncloa, but also of the citizens of Madrid, and there you have a zero.”
On the subject of immigration, Ayuso referred to the mayor of Fuenlabrada, the only one, he said, who opposed the construction of a mining centre in his municipality. “He tells me that I don’t have a clear discourse. It couldn’t be clearer. In Madrid, all accents are suitable. People come to Madrid to work, but we don’t defend that there is an inhuman lack of immigration control in Barajas, in Alcalá de Henares. “It’s their responsibility, they look the other way.” The regional president defended the mayor of Alcalá de Henares and accused the PSOE of organising a campaign to discredit her for warning about the situation created by the arrival of irregular immigrants in her city.
