Ramón Espinar Gallego, historic leader of the PSOE and first president of the Madrid Assembly, dies

Ramón Espinar Gallego, lawyer and historic politician of the Madrid PSOE who was mayor of Leganés, president of the Madrid Assembly and advisor to the regional government during the Presidency of Joaquín Leguina, died this Thursday after a long illness at the age of 72. The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has regretted his death and conveyed her condolences to the family.

"Madrid politics loses Espinar, first president of the Madrid Assembly, mayor of Leganés and advisor to President Leguina. We regret his death and convey our condolences to the family," Ayuso has published on his X account.

The tragic news was announced by his son Ramón Espinar, who was former leader and former senator of Podemos. "This morning my father died at the age of 72 after a long and difficult illness. Those who have dealt with the degenerative disease know what I'm talking about," he expressed. Furthermore, the former leader of Podemos thanked Ayuso for his gesture with a brief message: "Thank you President, a hug."

For its part, the Leganés City Council has expressed its "deep regret" for the death of the former mayor of the city after the first democratic elections. "On behalf of the entire municipal Corporation, we extend our deepest condolences and send all our encouragement to the family and friends," they noted.

Espinar was elected mayor of Leganés in the first municipal elections of democracy held in April 1979 and re-elected in May 1983, leaving office to join the Madrid Assembly as a deputy, according to the Pablo Iglesias Foundation. In addition, he was part of the Leguina Government and, from 1987 to 1991, he was Minister of Culture and spokesperson for the regional Government, while from 1991 to 1995 he served as Minister of Finance. Espinar had a law degree, he worked as a lawyer, administrator and politician.