After Mariano Rajoy announced yesterday that Madrid mayor, Alberto Ruíz Gallardón, will be offered a leading role in his next shadow cabinet that will be unveiled after next month's party conference, there was great interest in how Madrid president, Esperanza Aguirre, would react to the news.

"This would only have been newsworthy if he (Rajoy) had not offered him (Gallardón) a post," she said, pointing out that Mr Gallardón is already on the party's executive committee and one of a select group of advisors who meet the leader at PP party headquarters on the calle Génova every Monday morning.

When questioned about her reaction to the possibility that Mr Gallardón may take over from Ángel Acebes as the party's general secretary, she said: "Mr Rajoy will offer the post to the whomever he considers to be the best candidate," but refused to answer when asked whether she would like the job herself.

For his part, Mr Gallardón said: "Mr Rajoy is putting together a great team. I'd be delighted to accept any job I'm offered."

Madrid mayor to give up politics over general election snub
By: thinkSPAIN
Wednesday, January 16, 2008

According to reports in the ABC, El Mundo and El País based on sources close to the mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruíz Gallardón (photo, left) will give up politics after the 9th March after not being included in the party's list of general election candidates.

According to the ABC, deputy mayor, Manuel Cobo, will also resign, leaving Ana Botella - who is married to José María Aznar - as the capital's new lady mayoress.

El Mundo reports that Mr Gallardón informed party leader, Mariano Rajoy, PP general secretary, Angel Acebes, and Madrid regional president, Esperanza Aguirre (photo, right), of his intention to resign at a "tense meeting" at PP party headquarters on the calle Genova last night.

It seems that Mr Rajoy's hand was forced after Ms Aguirre threatened to resign her post as regional president to enable her to also stand at the general elections if Mr Gallardón was included in the party's candidate list.

When asked to explain his decision following the meeting, Mr Rajoy said that he was an "independent" person, "who refuses to accept private or public pressure."

Insiders claim that Mr Rajoy has said in private that he is "sick and tired" of the antics of the warring mayor and regional president and refuses to tolerate people "putting themselves forward as his successor."