What began as an interpellation ended in a mass evacuation. A PP deputy was expelled after exhibiting pepper spray in the chamber, triggering a series of incidents including affected individuals and a criminal complaint for pursuit.

The Congress of Deputies in Madrid was the scene of a surreal and tense day. The spark was ignited when the PP deputy, Ana Vázquez, showed a pepper spray from her seat while interpelling the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

The reaction was immediate: the president of the Lower House, the socialist Francina Armengol, proceeded with the expulsion of Vázquez for the exhibition of the object. However, the problem escalated when the spray was subsequently manipulated in the institution's restrooms.

Immediate impact: The incident forced the preventive evacuation of several bathrooms and offices of the Congress to guarantee the safety of those present.

The day's balance leaves a considerable number of affected people and an ongoing judicial dispute:

Concept Detail
Affected people 12 people in total
Involved Deputies, Congress workers and the delegation from Mauritania
Judicial actions Complaint by Ana Vázquez for automotive pursuit

The tension did not end in the chamber. Deputy Ana Vázquez filed a complaint at the police station against a former magistrate linked to the 'Leire plot', claiming she was followed in her car a few hours after testifying.

On the other hand, the justice system has put the veracity of the injuries under scrutiny. The presiding judge requested that three deputies who reported the pepper spray incident present the injury report, as so far they have not attached any initial medical assessment to support their complaints.

Source: IMAGO