Overview
- On Thursday, Carlos Martínez said his words were taken out of context and stressed he had no intent to mock Leonese identity, adding he would apologize if his remark caused division.
- León’s mayor, José Antonio Díez, condemned the comment as a mockery and insisted he will not accept disrespect toward Leonese autonomy aspirations.
- Nuria Rubio, the PSCL vice‑secretary, called for calm, argued that a clipped fragment fueled the backlash, and affirmed respect for differing views on León’s status.
- Martínez argued the controversy benefits the PP, pointed to long‑term institutional neglect of León, and vowed to tackle historic inequalities across provinces.
- The dispute highlights enduring friction between leonesista figures and the regional PSOE leadership as Martínez campaigns for the March 2026 regional elections.