Madrid's City Council approved the 2025 municipal budget on Monday, totaling 6,578 million euros, thanks to the PP's absolute majority, despite three total amendments from the opposition. The session, lasting over eight hours, featured heated debates on housing, infrastructure, and local conflicts. Critics decry the minimal investment in social housing amid a 55% rise in property prices since 2020.
The plenary session at the Palacio de Cibeles, combining two consecutive meetings, lasted over eight hours and was the longest of the year. The PP, led by Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, pushed through the approval of continuist budgets, up 4.8% from the previous year, reaching 6,578 million euros in direct execution. Including autonomous companies like EMVS and EMT, the total hits 7,424 million euros, Madrid's highest ever.
Major projects include burying the A-5 and Paseo de la Castellana near the Cuatro Torres, plus a park over the M-30 at the Ventas bridge, linking Salamanca and Ciudad Lineal districts. Yet, only 88 million euros go to buying or building public housing, less than 1% of the total. "They have no ambition," criticized Socialist councilor Enma López. Sara Ladra of Más Madrid called it "a shame" and accused Almeida's model of promoting real estate speculation, luxury tourism, and tax gifts to the wealthy.
Debates also covered the housing crisis, with average prices 55% higher than in 2020, post-abortion syndrome—defended by Vox but deemed illegal by legal services—and the mayor's court losses. Almeida attacked Socialist spokesperson Reyes Maroto, citing the PSOE's poor showing in Sunday's Extremadura elections.
A rare consensus emerged on honoring musician Roberto Iniesta, who died on December 10, though the PP initially voted against to consult the family. Tensions peaked over removing the playground from Amadeo Vives school in Aluche for an elderly residence. Neighbors protested from the gallery, were expelled by plenary president Borja Fanjul, and councilor Paloma García told them: "Here, the only ones who build facilities are the Partido Popular."
