Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso Faces Criticism After Misinterpreting Funicular Tragedy, Offering “Congratulations” to Portugal
Madrid, Spain – 2024/09/04 16:15 CEST – Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, sparked widespread online criticism Wednesday after appearing to offer condolences as “congratulations” to portugal following a fatal accident on the Funicular de Gloria in Vila Nova de Gaia. The incident, which occurred September 3rd, claimed the lives of five people and left several others injured.
Ayuso’s message, posted on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, drew immediate backlash from users who accused her of insensitivity and questioned her understanding of the Portuguese language. The controversy unfolded as Ayuso recently exited a conference of regional presidents after a speech delivered in basque by the ’Lehendakari’ (President) of the Basque Country, Imanol Pradales, prompting accusations of a preference for Spanish over co-official languages.
The original post, embedded within an article published by El Diario, featured a tweet from Ayuso that was widely interpreted as a misinterpretation of the tragic event. Social media users swiftly responded, urging Ayuso to refrain from using translation tools and questioning her suitability to govern. Some commenters sarcastically suggested a preference for Portuguese over Spain’s other official languages.
The Funicular de Gloria, a historic cable car offering scenic views of Porto and the Douro River, has been temporarily suspended following the accident. Portuguese authorities have launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the malfunction. The incident has prompted national mourning in Portugal and raised concerns about the safety standards of similar tourist attractions.
