Madrid government delegate Francisco Martín resigns after PSOE leaves him off election lists

A resignation after a list snub

Francisco Martín Aguirre resigned as government delegate in the Community of Madrid on Sunday, 25 October, according to Socialist sources cited by Europa Press and El País. He had held the post since March 2023, which Europa Press put at three and a half years after he first took office. The move followed his exclusion from the PSOE lists for the Congress and the Senate in the 29 November general election, a decision that Europa Press said came about a week before he stepped down. He justified his exit by saying:

The conditions to keep exercising his responsibility do not exist.

An encampment and a string of disputes

The pressure on his post centred on an encampment in the Puerta del Sol square, which began on 26 September after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman who died days later. Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso accused him of "acting illegally" by not dissolving the camp. Police unions disagreed with his criticism of police charges at protests over education, and the Delegation announced a further investigation after officers charged teachers who had gathered outside an event led by Díaz Ayuso. He was therefore criticised from both the regional government and police representatives.

Succession and the Socialist primaries

Pilar Trinidad Núñez, currently the sub-delegate, is expected to be named as his successor at the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, 27 October. Government sources cited by El País describe the expected choice as a message of continuity in an autumn marked by protests. Martín had tacitly backed Enma López in the PSOE primaries for Madrid's mayoralty, which Reyes Maroto won in July 2026. El País reported that the city primary had a census of 5,512 militants, a turnout of 34.2%, and 1,884 affiliates who voted.

Legal exposure and reactions

Vox has announced a criminal complaint against Martín over the encampment, and the PP is studying legal action of its own, according to El Mundo. Leaving the post also removes his status as an aforado, meaning special court protection, and El Mundo reported that he had hoped to take a seat in parliament. Martín did not confirm the resignation when El Mundo contacted him, but he rejected the idea that disputes with police or with the sub-delegate had caused it. He also stressed his loyalty to prime minister Pedro Sánchez and said:

Any decision is strictly separate from the management of the Delegation.

What comes next

The Council of Ministers is due to confirm the replacement on Tuesday, 27 October, and Pilar Trinidad Núñez would take up the role if the expected choice is made. A general strike has been called for 11 November, two days before the election campaign opens. Voting in the general election is set for 29 November.