The Minister of Economy, Finance, and Employment, Rocío Albert, defended the designation of former regional presidents Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, Esperanza Aguirre, and Cristina Cifuentes as members of the Community of Madrid's Juridical Advisory Commission. Albert argued that their incorporation brings "highly talented professional profiles" and championed the "enormous value, both professional and political," of the three former leaders, assuring that their experience will help "improve" the region's regulations and norms.
The Governing Council approved these appointments at the end of July. The Juridical Advisory Commission is a consultative body responsible for issuing opinions on matters of special legal relevance for the regional executive and other public administrations. These appointments are based on the Statute of Former Presidents of the Community of Madrid (Decree 59/2025), which allows those who held the office for at least two years to become elective members of this body after their term ends.
The statute, approved a year ago, aims to align the conditions of former Madrid presidents with those of other state and autonomous community officials. The regulation includes financial compensation equivalent to 80% of their remuneration for a maximum of 24 months, in addition to an indemnity of 750 euros per commission participation and the possibility of having access to assistance resources for two years after leaving office.
The decision has drawn criticism from the PSOE-M, which accuses the government of Isabel Díaz Ayuso of seeking the "support" of the former presidents to defend themselves in matters such as the Chamberí penthouse. The Government Delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, also questioned the appointments, suggesting they are intended to "guarantee their own conditions" and criticizing the lack of "transparency and exemplary conduct," labeling them as "obscurantism" and "financial compensation."
Martín called for "transparency and exemplary conduct" and considered the appointments to be "laden with obscurantism," suggesting that the primary motivation is financial compensation. Furthermore, he questioned the "democratic quality" of the Community of Madrid.
