Jump directly to the content

MADRID's controversial anti-lockdown 'Trumpista' has won a landslide re-election in Madrid following a huge turnout.

The Conservative party leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who was synonymous for her refusal to shut bars and shops during the pandemic, celebrated as crowds gathered shouting "Freedom" at her victory speech.

Isabel Díaz Ayuso won a landslide victory at Madrid's re-election following a huge turnout
10
Isabel Díaz Ayuso won a landslide victory at Madrid's re-election following a huge turnoutCredit: Rex
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the party headquarters to celebrate the result
10
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the party headquarters to celebrate the resultCredit: Rex

She won 44.7 per cent of the vote, taking 65 seats in Madrid's 136-seat assembly, whilst the remaining three-party left bloc could only muster 58 seats between them.

Preliminary results showed the regional leader more than doubled her score from a previous election in 2019.

Following the result, hundreds of flag-waving supporters gathered outside the People's Party (PP) headquarters to celebrate the victory.

"Freedom" was the slogan throughout the controversial leader's campiagn, as she banked on her anti-lockdown “Trumpista” strategy to appeal to voters tired of restrictions imposed to fight the pandemic.

It included her decision to keep shops and bars open, despite widespread criticism from central government.

Following the result, an emotional Ayuso told supporters, "Freedom has won.”

“Voters trusted our handling of the pandemic."

"Freedom, always, always."

Ayuso celebrated in front of crowds, claiming that 'freedom has won'
10
Ayuso celebrated in front of crowds, claiming that 'freedom has won'Credit: Rex
Jubilant crowds flew flags at the rally
10
Jubilant crowds flew flags at the rallyCredit: Rex
They chanted 'freedom, freedom' in reference to her campaign slogan
10
They chanted 'freedom, freedom' in reference to her campaign sloganCredit: Rex

Critics of Ayuso have accused her of neglecting health services whilst she prioritised the economy.

The latest result now signifies a polarisation in Spanish politics, with anti-lockdown sentiment continuing to rise.

The Madrid region, home to seven million of Spain's 47 million people, recorded 343 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 in the last 14 days on Tuesday, against a national average of 213, according to the latest figures.

Occupancy of intensive-care units is also at it’s the highest in Spain, at 44%.

Unlike in other elections in the COVID era in recent months, turnout was high, at around 74%, well up from 64% in 2019.

Ayuso fell just shy of winning enough seats to rule the region without support from any other party, after 92% of votes were accounted for.

The final results are expected in the evening.

Ayuso has been criticised for neglecting the health care system
10
Ayuso has been criticised for neglecting the health care systemCredit: Rex
Her policy allowed bars, restaurants and shops to remain open in Madrid
10
Her policy allowed bars, restaurants and shops to remain open in MadridCredit: Getty
The scenes in the capital were opposite to those seen in other locked-down regional areas
10
The scenes in the capital were opposite to those seen in other locked-down regional areasCredit: Getty

Ms Ayuso, 42, has been a vocal critic of the central government's handling of the pandemic, having persistenly fought against a number of its lockdown restrictions.

She has become a rising star in the PP party, which has governed the capital region for 26 years.

Her decision to keep Madrid's bars and restaurants open were controversial, especially when other regions continued to clamp down amid rising cases nationally.

However, many residents bought into her 'freedom campaign', which looked to expose the frustrations of many towards Covid-19 restrictions.  

At a speech on Tuesday, she said: "Madrid is freedom and they don't understand our way of living, that's why Sánchez and his colleagues do not enter in Madrid."

"Because it can't be directed, can't be controlled and things can't be imposed here.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

She added: “Freedom means a person can start again a thousand times, give opportunities for young people and security for the elderly.

"That's freedom, and they wanted to take it away from us."

Many local residents bought into her 'freedom' campaign
10
Many local residents bought into her 'freedom' campaignCredit: AP
Her popularity signifies the ongoing polarisation in Spanish politics
10
Her popularity signifies the ongoing polarisation in Spanish politicsCredit: Reuters
More Covid cases diagnosed globally in past 2 WEEKS than first 6 months of pandemic
Topics