Isabel Díaz Ayuso facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Most Excellent Isabel Díaz Ayuso
Isabel Díaz Ayuso in 2019
President of the Community of Madrid
Incumbent
Assumed office 19 August 2019
Vice President	Ignacio Aguado (2019−2021) Enrique Ossorio (2022–2023)
Preceded by	Ángel Garrido (acting, Pedro Rollán Ojeda)
President of the People's Party of the Community of Madrid
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 May 2022
Secretary-General	Alfonso Serrano
Preceded by	Cristina Cifuentes (acting, Pío García-Escudero)
Deputy Councillor of the Presidency and Justice of the Community of Madrid
In office 26 September 2017 – 22 May 2018
President	Cristina Cifuentes
Preceded by	Enrique Ruiz Escudero
Succeeded by	José Enrique Núñez Guijarro
Member of the Assembly of Madrid
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 June 2019
In office 15 July 2011 – 26 September 2017
Personal details
Born	(1978-10-17) 17 October 1978 (age 46) Madrid, Spain
Political party	PP (2005–present)
Spouse	Sergio Hernández ​ ​ (m. 2008; div. 2011)​
Domestic partner	Alberto González (2021–present)
Alma mater	Complutense University of Madrid
Signature

Isabel Natividad Díaz Ayuso (born 17 October 1978) is a Spanish politician and journalist. She has been the president of the Community of Madrid since 2019. She also leads the People's Party of the Community of Madrid since 2022.

Isabel Díaz Ayuso is a member of the People's Party. She was the main candidate for president of the Community of Madrid in the 2019 regional election. Even though her party did not win the most votes, she was later chosen as president by the Assembly of Madrid. Her government was the first time the region was led by a coalition. This coalition included her party (PP) and Citizens. It was also the first time that Vox supported a regional government in Madrid. Under her leadership, the People's Party in Madrid has seen both its lowest number of votes (in 2019) and its highest (in 2023).

About Isabel Díaz Ayuso

Isabel Díaz Ayuso was born in Madrid, Spain, on 17 October 1978. Her parents worked in the business of medical and orthopaedic products. She studied journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid. She also earned a master's degree in Political Communication and Protocol.

She was baptized as a Catholic. However, she became less religious after her grandfather passed away when she was nine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she found her way back to the Catholic faith. She felt it was important to see people praying for her well-being.

Her Political Journey

Isabel Díaz Ayuso joined the Popular Party (PP) in 2005. She started working in the press department for the Minister of Justice and the Interior in Madrid in 2006. She became skilled in political communication. She managed the online campaigns for the PP, including Cristina Cifuentes' digital campaign in 2015.

She first became a member of the regional parliament on 15 July 2011. She continued to serve as a deputy after the 2015 elections. She later became a deputy spokesperson for her group. She left this role when she was appointed vice-counselor of the Presidency and Justice for the regional government.

On 11 January 2019, the PP president, Pablo Casado, chose her to lead the party in the 2019 Madrilenian regional election. In that election, her party won 30 seats. This made them the second most voted list.

Leading the Community of Madrid

First Government Term

Díaz Ayuso at the Assembly of Madrid, during her swearing-in ceremony

Isabel Díaz Ayuso became the President of the Community of Madrid on 14 August 2019. She received 68 votes in favor from the Popular, Citizens', and Vox parties. There were 64 votes against her from other groups.

In January 2020, she appointed Miguel Ángel Rodríguez as her chief of staff. During her first term, the Hospital Isabel Zendal was opened in December 2020. This hospital was built quickly to help with emergencies. After Storm Filomena, her government faced some criticism. People said they were not prepared for the heavy snow. The storm caused damage and trapped many people.

Handling the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected Spain, especially Madrid, in early 2020. Her government took quick actions. These included closing schools, leisure centers, and many shops. They also limited travel to essential activities like work or buying food. Public transport also had new safety rules.

To help with many patients, Ayuso's government used the IFEMA exhibition center as an emergency hospital. This hospital was set up very fast, in less than two weeks. It had 5,500 hospital beds. Hotels in Madrid were also used to care for patients who were not as sick.

Her government provided high-quality protective masks to citizens for free. This helped people stay safe.

The 2021 Snap Election

On 10 March 2021, Ayuso decided to call a snap election in the Community of Madrid. This election was held on 4 May. She also approved a tax reform in April 2021. This reform aimed to lower the estate and gift tax.

Her party won the May elections. This allowed her to form a new government. She did not need a coalition partner this time. She received support from Vox.

Second Government Term

On 31 August 2021, she announced her plan to run for the leadership of her party in Madrid. This position was open after the previous president resigned.

In February 2022, there were reports about her brother's business deals during the pandemic. Ayuso stated that her brother's deals were legal. She also accused her own party's leaders of working against her. This situation led to the resignation of the PP President Pablo Casado. Ayuso remained strong in her bid to lead the party in Madrid.

In November 2022, many people protested in Madrid. They were defending the public health system. They were against some of Ayuso's health policies. These policies aimed to involve private companies more in healthcare. Unions said that public health services needed more resources and staff.

Third Government Term

After the 2023 Madrilenian regional election, the People's Party won a clear majority. This meant Isabel Díaz Ayuso could govern without needing support from other parties like Vox. This was the first time her party achieved an absolute majority under her leadership.

Her Political Ideas

Isabel Díaz Ayuso is seen as supporting neoliberal ideas on money and business. Some international newspapers have described her as a populist.

She has often spoken strongly about her beliefs. She has said that she is "next to Vox, not in front of it." In May 2021, she stated that "when they call you a fascist you know you’re doing something right." In April 2021, she mentioned that she and her party "agreed on fundamental issues" with Vox.

In 2023, she called for the Basque nationalist party EH Bildu to be banned. She claimed that ETA was still active within the party. She has also made strong comments about other political figures.

Some of her views have caused disagreements with her government partners. This has sometimes led to early elections. Some critics have compared her to former American president Donald Trump.

Social Issues

In April 2019, she suggested that unborn children should be counted as family members. This would help families get social aid or school places. In February 2020, she talked about the LGBT law in Madrid. She said that if it were up to her, some parts of the law might be changed. However, during a debate, she clarified that she does not want to remove the LGBT law. Instead, she believes these laws can be "improved upon." In December 2023, her government approved changes to the regional LGBT laws. These changes removed penalties for discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Views on History

She has disagreed with the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He asked for an apology for colonialism. Ayuso said that indigenous movements were promoting "a simplistic revision of Spanish history." She believes Spain brought "civilisation and freedom" to the Americas. She also disagreed with Pope Francis's statement that the Catholic Church should apologize for its actions in Mexico.

Climate Views

Regarding climate change, she has said it "has always existed." She has also dismissed "apocalyptic claims" as part of a "communist plot." In April 2019, she called night traffic jams a "hallmark" of Madrid. She expressed sadness that they disappeared with the start of the low-emission zone Madrid Central. Later, she clarified that she loves Madrid's nightlife but dislikes traffic jams.

Awards and Recognition

In September 2021, Isabel Díaz Ayuso received the Bruno Leoni Prize. This award recognized her policies in Madrid during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her approach focused on avoiding widespread lockdowns. Instead, she aimed to protect individual freedoms and economic activities. The prize is given by the Istituto Bruno Leoni, an Italian think tank. She was the first government leader to receive this award while in office. Previous winners include Nobel laureates and democracy activists.

Electoral History

Images for kids

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  Isabel Díaz Ayuso's signature

See also

In Spanish: Isabel Díaz Ayuso para niños