The Government of Madrid has come under scrutiny after awarding a contract worth €60,000 to a relative of a prominent influencer for the design of renovations at the Real Casa de Correos, the official residence of the regional presidency. This decision was made despite the building being scheduled for renovation work, which had already justified the purchase of a luxury apartment in Chamberí for temporary use by President Isabel Díaz Ayuso (PP). The move has raised further questions about the transparency and justification behind the acquisition of the high-end property, which was bought in secrecy for €6.3 million. The controversy began earlier this year when reports emerged about the purchase of the Chamberí apartment, which was intended to serve as a temporary office space while the current headquarters in the Puerta del Sol underwent renovations. However, the government did not initially disclose the existence of the property or its intended purpose. On Friday afternoon, the regional administration published the contract for the interior decoration project of the Real Casa de Correos, awarded directly to a firm without competitive bidding. This action has intensified doubts surrounding the entire affair, particularly given the lack of clarity regarding the necessity and legality of the purchase. Alberto González Amador, the partner of President Ayuso, is the owner of Maxwell Cremona, a consulting company that declared losses of €26,236 in 2025, according to recent financial statements submitted to the Commercial Registry. The company reported revenues of €709,738 in the previous year, though it entered into a deficit following a profit of €93,678 in 2024. The financial records also indicate a significant drop in assets, from over €2.2 million in 2023 to €240,490 in 2025. Additionally, the documents mention the payment of dividends totaling €1.225 million, although there are concerns about whether these figures accurately reflect the company’s reserves. González Amador purchased the Chamberí apartment in October last year through Babia Capital SL, a company managed by his tax advisor. He paid a monthly rent of €5,000 for the property, which is located above another luxurious home he acquired in July 2022. Both properties have been put up for sale, with an expected revenue of €3.42 million. These sales coincide with the scandal involving the purchase of the luxury apartment by the Ayuso government, which was intended for meetings but cannot be used as an official residence due to local regulations. The government claims it will sell the property to aid recovery efforts after wildfires in the Sierra Oeste region, though the funds obtained cannot be directly allocated for that purpose. President Ayuso has expressed frustration with journalists who question her about the apartment, arguing that media coverage should focus more on the wildfires rather than her personal affairs. She emphasized her commitment to helping those affected by the fires, suggesting that the press should highlight her efforts instead of focusing on the controversy surrounding the apartment. However, critics argue that her insistence on shifting attention away from the apartment suggests an attempt to divert public interest from the ongoing investigation into the legitimacy of the purchase and related expenditures. The situation has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including the PSOE, which plans to bring the matter before the Public Prosecutor's Office. Meanwhile, the government continues to defend its actions, referring back to explanations provided by the regional administration. Despite this, new information continues to emerge, complicating the narrative and raising further questions about the legal and ethical implications of the decisions made by the Ayuso government.
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