The Ayuso Government now says that its "complementary" office will be in the Canal de Isabel II and links it to the "works" of Sol

Madrid regional leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso met privately with Argentine President Javier Milei on Wednesday at the headquarters of the Canal de Isabel II water utility in the Chamberi district. The two-hour closed-door meeting excluded press access, though the regional government later distributed images showing the leaders embracing. During their discussion, Ayuso raised concerns regarding potential electoral fraud related to the Grandchildren Law, a topic she has emphasized in recent days. The encounter concluded with mutual invitations for future visits, including an invitation for Milei to attend the 30th Ibero-American Summit in Madrid in early November. The meeting took place in the offices of the Canal de Isabel II, located on Calle Santa Engracia. This venue served as the location for the regional government’s Council of Ministers earlier in the day. According to official statements, the leaders reviewed international political landscapes, internal situations in both countries, conditions in Ceuta, and the role of middle classes. A primary focus was the Grandchildren Law, which grants Spanish citizenship to descendants of Spaniards who left during historical periods. Earlier this week, Spain’s Constitutional Court rejected a request from the Ombudsman to reactivate voting rights for approximately 160,000 nationalized individuals covered by this law. This decision returns the debate to the Supreme Court, which has suspended these voting rights since September. Regional officials stated that Ayuso warned of possible irregularities and described efforts from the central government in Madrid as an attempt at electoral surgery. They noted that 645,000 people in Buenos Aires have filed applications at the consulate to obtain Spanish nationality. The choice of venue prompted scrutiny due to shifting explanations from the regional administration. On Tuesday, sources close to Ayuso indicated that her office was being temporarily relocated from the Royal House of Correos in Puerta del Sol due to security concerns linked to protests. However, Miguel Angel Garcia Martin, the regional spokesperson, clarified on Wednesday that the main office remains in Sol. He described the Canal de Isabel II space as a complementary office used when the Sol building does not meet necessary conditions. Garcia Martin attributed the need for an alternative space to ongoing maintenance works in Sol, rather than security issues. These works were previously cited by the regional government to justify the controversial purchase of a penthouse apartment in Chamberi for 6.3 million euros. When asked why the property was purchased instead of using the Canal facilities, Garcia Martin stated that the search aimed to find a space serving various departmental needs without disrupting existing operations. He added that the penthouse is currently for sale and is no longer considered an alternative for the president’s occasional workspace. Security measures surrounding the meeting were extensive. National Police agents from the UIP unit and plainclothes officers deployed throughout the streets adjacent to the Canal headquarters. More than ten police vans remained stationed in the area until approximately 18:45 hours, when the Argentine delegation departed. The delegation consisted of around ten vehicles accompanied by a police escort. Prior to the meeting with Ayuso, Milei held discussions with Ignacio Garriga, the secretary general of the Vox party. His brief visit to Spain included no other scheduled meetings. In public remarks made before the private session, Milei directed sharp criticism at Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, labeling him an unacceptable dictator. He also attacked journalists, describing them as shorts, wretches, and a plague. When questioned about these comments, Garcia Martin stated he would not qualify the Argentine president’s words. He remarked that one only needs to look at the chronicle of recent years to understand the context. Regarding the insults directed at Sanchez, Garcia Martin commented that Spain is not going through its best moment. Following the departure of the Argentine delegation, Ayuso posted a message on social media expressing joy at welcoming Milei to Madrid. She expressed deep affection for the sister nation and wished for its recovery toward prosperity after years of decay and poverty. She declared that his successes would be shared by Madrid and affirmed that the city is and always will be his home. As part of the diplomatic exchange, Ayuso presented Milei with copies of Don Quixote and the book 1776 We the Hispanics, written by Eva Garcia, which explores Spanish influence in the United States. She also gifted a handcrafted bronze sculpture created by artists Marta de Cambra and Carlos Espinel in Madrid workshops. The piece features seven stars representing the flag of the Community of Madrid and depicts the constellation of the Great Bear. The scheduling of the meeting generated additional questions. The appointment did not appear in the daily institutional agenda published by the regional government, although it was listed in Milei’s schedule. Residents waited until morning to confirm the meeting would take place, without initial information on the specific location. Garcia Martin defended the lack of prior notice by stating there had been total transparency and that the meeting was communicated once the agenda was finalized. The regional government initially confirmed a temporary move of the desk for security reasons due to encampments, before shifting the explanation to construction works. This change in narrative occurred within the span of a few days. The interaction between the two leaders highlights ongoing tensions over electoral regulations and political alliances between right-wing figures in Spain and Argentina. The regional administration continues to utilize the Canal de Isabel II facility for high-level engagements while maintaining its primary base in the historic building in Puerta del Sol.