Government and Ayuso put differences aside amid the magnitude of the fire

Political leaders in Spain have temporarily set aside their differences to confront a significant wildfire raging in the southern mountains of Madrid. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso met at the emergency command post in Cenicientos, a town later evacuated due to the encroaching flames.

The meeting, which began with a cool greeting between Sánchez and Ayuso, underscored the gravity of the situation. Sources from La Moncloa indicated Ayuso declined to hold a joint press conference with Sánchez, a departure from previous similar events where other regional leaders participated alongside the Prime Minister. Despite this, no direct criticism was exchanged between them during their public statements.

This apparent truce follows a public spat between Ayuso and Transport Minister Óscar Puente. The conflict erupted when Madrid's regional government requested a national emergency declaration, which would transfer control to the central administration. Puente accused the regional government of "hollowing out public services" while Ayuso responded with sharp retorts, though she later dismissed further comment on the confrontation.

Both administrations acknowledged they are working collaboratively to combat the fire. Residents in the affected area have urged political leaders to prioritize firefighting efforts over political disputes. Sánchez used the occasion to reiterate his call for a "State Pact against the Climate Emergency," emphasizing that the consequences of global warming are exceeding scientific predictions, leading to more intense and severe fires. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, while advocating for a calmer political atmosphere, echoed the need for inter-administrative collaboration.

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