Madrid court rulings curb low‑emission zone and block Ayuso's land‑law reforms

Spain's Supreme Court rejected the Madrid City Council’s request to overturn a September 2024 ruling by the Madrid High Court that annulled parts of the city’s low‑emission zone (ZBE) ordinance. The higher court said the original impact‑assessment report was economically and environmentally insufficient, and it found the council’s cassation appeal lacked the required casational interest. A new mobility ordinance approved by the city council in March restores the ZBE after the Supreme Court decision left the earlier ruling ineffective.

Separately, the Constitutional Court upheld an amparo appeal filed by Más Madrid and other parties, ruling that the regional Assembly’s procedure for the Land Law violated legislators’ right to propose amendments. The court declared the prevention of amendment rights a breach of fundamental parliamentary guarantees, marking its eleventh decision against President Isabel Díaz Ayuso and the PP’s use of procedural shortcuts.