A Controversial May 2
May 2, an emblematic date for the Community of Madrid, dawned with heavy rain that did not prevent the people of Madrid from celebrating their history. However, the festive atmosphere was tinged with a tense political backdrop between the regional government and the central government, led by Pedro Sánchez. This year, as in the previous one, the absence of the national government was notable, as no invitation was extended to its members.
Recent polls conducted by Sigma Dos for El Mundo suggest that the Popular Party (PP) could maintain its absolute majority in the upcoming regional elections, although with a slight loss of seats to Vox. The Vox spokesperson in the Assembly, Isabel Pérez Moñino, criticized these projections, stating: "Those polls are not believed even by the president." Her party plans to propose a "national priority" in an attempt to set its political agenda.
During the main ceremony of the day, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the regional president, emphasized a model of Madrid that is open to the world and distanced from nationalism. In her institutional speech, she highlighted: "Here we admire talent – wherever it comes from – and we are living our best moment because neither nationalism nor identity ideologies have made us lose time." This statement was met with applause from the attendees.
Throughout the event, distinctions such as the Grand Cross of the Order of May 2 were awarded to 14 individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to Madrid society. The president also mentioned the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV, reaffirming her commitment to religious freedom and Western values.
Pérez Moñino strongly contrasted with Ayuso by recalling the popular uprising against French troops in 1808 and advocated for a more locally focused approach: "More Vallecas and less Mexico City." This criticism refers to the institutional trip that Ayuso will undertake to Mexico to attract investments to Madrid.
Despite the bad weather and political tensions, citizens were able to enjoy a historical recreation of the May 2 uprising. This symbolic act served to remind not only of historical events but also to reinforce a collective sense against any perceived attempts at external control.
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