Spain's PP refuses minute of silence for Maricarmen in Madrid assembly

The PP of the Community of Madrid refused to call a minute of silence for the death of Maricarmen at the Madrid regional assembly's plenary session because, according to official sources, it did not want to contribute to its "political exploitation". Más Madrid and the PSOE finally held it outside the building in Vallecas.

The Madrid assembly held its plenary session this Thursday without a minute of silence for Maricarmen. The PP of the Community of Madrid refused to activate it, according to official sources cited by **elDiario.es**, because it did not want to contribute to its "political exploitation for an interested campaign". The measure would only have gone ahead with the agreement of the four secretary generals.

## What peine at the assembly's plenary session

Más Madrid and the PSOE requested the minute of silence because of the impact of the news. A PP representative in the assembly responded: "We don't see the need for it". Sources from Más Madrid told **elDiario.es** that, faced with the refusal, they moved the tribute outside the assembly building, in Vallecas.

The PP expressed regret over the death of **Maricarmen Abascal** in its statements, but maintained its rejection. The decision left the tribute off the agenda and outside the building.

## A gesture with a political reading

The episode turns a minute of silence into a standoff between political groups. The PP maintains that the death is being used for an interested campaign; Más Madrid and the PSOE consider that the impact of the news justified the gesture. Neither side has moved from its position.

The refusal comes at a time of high political tension in the Community of Madrid. The plenary session went ahead without the tribute, which was held at the doors of the building.