# Spanish political controversy over eclipse event costs

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-political-controversy-over-eclipse-event-costs
> Updated: 2026-08-15T23:08:08.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

Spanish political leaders have raised concerns regarding the cost of a government event held at the Yebes Observatory in Guadalajara to observe a total solar eclipse on August 12.

Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso criticized the reported expenditure of approximately 72,000 euros, describing the event as a ‘fiesta a cuerpo de rey’ (a party at the public's expense). She demanded a full breakdown of costs, including hotels, meals, and transport, for the four attending ministers: Óscar López, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Diana Morant, and Ángel Víctor Torres.

Following these demands, Miguel Barrachina, spokesperson for the Partido Popular, also called for transparency. He characterized the event as a “ministerial party” and argued that the expenditure served as political propaganda rather than a genuine scientific dissemination effort.

The People's Party (PP) has since launched a formal inquiry through requests to Congress regarding the reported total cost of 72,358 euros. The opposition is seeking to identify which authority within the Ministry of Transport or the National Geographic Institute authorized the use of the observatory for the institutional act. 

Furthermore, the PP is questioning the decision to close the observatory to the general public during the event, demanding technical, organizational, or security justifications for the closure. Public calls for transparency have also emerged, with citizens seeking explanations regarding the decision-making process and the lack of communication surrounding the facility's closure.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-15: People's Party investigates 72,000 euro eclipse event cost

Spain's People's Party is demanding transparency over a 72,000 euro government event at the Yebes Observatory, questioning both the expenditure and the decision to close the site to the public.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peoples-party-investigates-72000-euro-eclipse-event-cost

### 2026-08-14: Diana Morant faces scrutiny over 72,358 euro eclipse event cost

The Consell has requested an explanation from Minister Diana Morant over the 72,358 euro cost of a government event at the Yebes Observatory to observe a solar eclipse.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/diana-morant-faces-scrutiny-over-72358-euro-eclipse-event-cost

### 2026-08-13: Isabel Díaz Ayuso demands transparency over eclipse trip costs

Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso is demanding a detailed breakdown of 72,000 euros in government spending used by four ministers during a trip to observe the solar eclipse in Yebes.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/isabel-daz-ayuso-demands-transparency-over-eclipse-trip-costs

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Cite as: Spanish political controversy over eclipse event costs. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/spanish-political-controversy-over-eclipse-event-costs