Ramón Espinar Gallego, former president of the Assembly of Madrid, dies at 72

Ramón Espinar Gallego, the first president of the Assembly of Madrid, has died at the age of 72 following a long degenerative illness. His death was confirmed by his son, former Podemos leader and senator Ramón Espinar.

Espinar held several prominent roles in Spanish regional politics. He served as the first democratic mayor of Leganés, winning election in 1979 and being re-elected in 1983. He later transitioned to the Assembly of Madrid, serving as a deputy from 1983 to 1999 and presiding over the Assembly during its first legislature between 1983 and 1987.

During the presidency of Joaquín Leguina, Espinar served as the regional government's spokesperson and Minister of Culture from 1987 to 1991, followed by a term as Minister of Finance from 1991 to 1995. Madrid Community President Isabel Díaz Ayuso and the Leganés City Council have both expressed their condolences to his family.