Red belt (Community of Madrid) facts for kids
The red belt (called Cinturón rojo in Spanish) is a term used in the Community of Madrid, Spain. It describes a group of cities south of the main city of Madrid. These cities are known for having many working-class people. They also have a long history of electing mayors from left-wing political parties. These parties include the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, the Communist Party of Spain, and the United Left.
About 21% of all people living in the Community of Madrid live in these "red belt" cities. Six of the ten largest cities in the region are part of this group. The name "red belt" can also refer to the southern areas within the city of Madrid itself.
In the 2010s, people also started talking about a "purple belt." This new term came about because a new political party, Podemos, became popular in these areas. Their party color is purple, which is different from the traditional red of other left-wing parties.
Cities in the Madrid "Red Belt"
Many important cities are part of the "red belt." These cities have played a big role in the politics of the Madrid region. Here is a list of some of these cities, their populations, and the political parties that have led them.
| City Name | Population (2021) | Current Mayor | Mayor's Term Start | Party (2023-2027) | Main Parties in Local Government Since 1979 | |||
 |
Alcorcón | _mapa.svg) |
170,817 (7th largest) | Candelaria Testa | 2023 | PSOE
(Coalition) |
PSOE (1979-1999; 2003-2011; 2019-current) | |
 |
Arganda del Rey | _mapa.svg) |
56,386 (21st largest) | Alberto Escribano | 2023 | PP
(Coalition) |
Communist Party/United Left (1979-1999) PSOE (1999-2003; 2015-2023) |
|
 |
Coslada | _mapa.svg) |
81,273 (15th largest) | Ángel Viveros | 2015 | PSOE
(Coalition) |
PSOE (1982-1983) Communist Party/United Left (1983-1999) PSOE (1999-2003; 2007-2011; 2015-current) |
|
 |
Fuenlabrada | _mapa.svg) |
192,233 (4th largest) | Javier Ayala | 2018 | PSOE
(Majority) |
PSOE (1979-current) | |
 |
Getafe | _mapa.svg) |
183,095 (6th largest) | Sara Hernández | 2015 | PSOE
(Coalition) |
PSOE (1979-2011; 2015-current) | |
 |
Leganés | _mapa.svg) |
187,762 (5th largest) | Miguel Ángel Recuenco | 2023 | PP
(Coalition) |
PSOE (1979-2007; 2007-2011; 2015-2023) | |
 |
Mejorada del Campo | _mapa.svg) |
23,737 (33rd largest) | Jorge Capa | 2015 | PSOE
(Majority) |
Communist Party (1978-1982) PSOE (1982-1995) United Left (1995-1999) PSOE (1999-2011; 2015-current) |
|
 |
Móstoles | _mapa.svg) |
209,639 (2nd largest) | Manuel Bautista | 2023 | PP
(Coalition) |
PSOE (1979-2003; 2015-2023) | |
 |
Parla | _mapa.svg) |
131,689 (9th largest) | Ramón Jurado | 2019 | PSOE
(Coalition) |
PSOE (1979-2015; 2019-current) | |
 |
Pinto | _mapa.svg) |
53,537 (22nd largest) | Salomón Aguado | 2023 | PP
(Coalition) |
Communist Party (1979-1987) United Left (1987-1995) PSOE (1995-2007; 2008-2011) Ganemos Pinto (2015-2019) PSOE (2019-2023) |
|
 |
Rivas-Vaciamadrid | _mapa.svg) |
92,925 (12th largest) | Aída Castillejo | 2022 | IU
(Coalition) |
PSOE (1987-1991) United Left (1991-current) |
|
 |
San Fernando de Henares | _mapa.svg) |
39,313 (25th largest) | Francisco Javier Corpa | 2019 | PSOE
(Majority) |
Communist Party/United Left (1979-1991) PSOE (1991-1995) United Left (1995-2015) Podemos (2015-2019) PSOE (2019-current) |
|
 |
San Martín de la Vega | _mapa.svg) |
19,853 (36th largest) | Rafael Martínez | 2015 | PSOE
(Majority) |
PSOE (1979-2007; 2015-current) | |
 |
Velilla de San Antonio | _mapa.svg) |
12,542 (48th largest) | Antonia Alcázar | 2015 | PSOE
(Coalition) |
PSOE (1987-2009; 2015-current) | |
See also
In Spanish: Cinturón rojo (Comunidad de Madrid) para niños
