Under the slogan ‘Almeida owes you money from his illegal waste fee’, the initiative was presented by socialist spokesperson, Reyes Maroto, and deputy spokesperson for Finance, Enma López, in the Villaverde district. The choice of this location highlights the disproportionate impact of the fee on residents and small businesses in the area, due to a calculation system that unfairly increased the tax burden.
“"What we demand is very clear: that the City Council does not appeal the ruling and proceeds with the full reimbursement of all receipts collected in 2025. Almeida must act with the same agility with which the fee was collected, avoiding unnecessary delays and ensuring that all Madrid residents recover their money."
The socialist leaders also denounced the paradox faced by Villaverde residents, who, despite paying a high and unfair fee, find their streets among the dirtiest in Madrid. This situation, according to the PSOE, demonstrates the failure of the municipal management model.
The campaign, which will include information tables in all 21 districts of Madrid, aims to inform citizens about the implications of the High Court of Justice of Madrid's resolution and pressure the City Council for an immediate response. Spokesperson Maroto reiterated that the fee “was born unfair and disproportionate, and today we also know it is illegal,” recalling that the Socialist Group had already warned about its poor design and lack of equity.
“"We are facing yet another blunder added to a long list of failed decisions by this municipal government, with ordinances appealed and questioned in the courts, which evidences a serious crisis in Almeida's management. Madrid residents should not have to pay the consequences of this way of governing. Madrid deserves a fair, transparent, and legally compliant fiscal policy."
The PSOE urges the City Council to rethink the fee and strictly adhere to the principles of legality and fiscal justice. López emphasized that it is not just about correcting an error, but about preventing it from happening again, criticizing the lack of progressivity of the current fee which, in her opinion, unfairly penalizes large segments of the Madrid population.
