The parliamentary groups of Más Madrid and PSOE in the Assembly of Madrid have once again questioned the celebration of the Spanish Grand Prix of Formula 1 in the capital, considering the available information on its cost and its economic and environmental effects insufficient. In contrast, the Popular Party has claimed the race as a "world showcase" for the Community of Madrid.
The spokesperson for Más Madrid in the regional Chamber, Manuela Bergerot, insisted at a press conference after the Board of Spokespersons on the economic impact of the project, recalling that her party has been "insisting for two years" that the celebration of the GP of Spain in Madrid has been promoted without public reports on public spending and economic and environmental impact.
Bergerot focused on the price of tickets and VIP experiences to emphasize that, in her view, it is not an event designed "for the benefit of the madrileños," but "for the benefit of a small number of businessmen who are going to profit thanks to a public investment of 200 million euros just to build the circuit."
In the same vein, the spokesperson for PSOE, Mar Espinar, pointed out that her group has been requesting complete files since the event was announced to know "how it has been processed" and how it will be ensured "that the neighbors are not disturbed," in addition to the guarantee that "it will not cost a euro of public money." However, she lamented that the regional Government has not sent them the documentation.
"This Government has once again not responded to any of the information requests," criticized the socialist leader, who asked that the event not become a "mass bath" for the madrileña president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and that it be avoided that the madrileños end up paying for an event that "once again without any kind of explanation."
Vox, for its part, has shown support for the celebration of large international events in Madrid, although it has questioned the priorities of the regional Executive, which it sees "more concerned with functioning as a promoter of those events." "Bringing Formula 1 does not cover the health waiting lists," the party emphasized.
The opposition spokespersons have admitted that they have not received institutional invitations for the Grand Prix and, both in the case of Más Madrid and PSOE, have hinted that, even if they arrived, they do not intend to attend.
The PP claims Formula 1 as a motor of image and development
In the face of criticism, the spokesperson for the PP in the Assembly, Carlos Díaz-Pache, has applauded the arrival of the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, a project that, he emphasized, has been carried out in "record time" and with a completely new layout built from scratch.
Díaz-Pache has defined the initiative as "a collective achievement" and has highlighted the existence of a ten-year contract that he hopes will be maintained to place Madrid in the "global showcase" that this sport represents, not only in the sporting aspect but also in the technological and infrastructure fields.