Briefing
On 23 September 2026, Francina Armengol, president of the Congreso de los Diputados, MP Ana Belén Vázquez was asked to leave the chamber after Vázquez held up a canister of pepper spray during questions to the government. Armengol justified the move by citing the parliamentary rules, which prohibit carrying or displaying dangerous objects in the chamber, as well as the classification of pepper spray as a regulated irritant under Spanish weapons law.
According to parliamentary administration a strong irritant smell was noticed in side rooms shortly after the incident. Security staff and the Polizei then closed several toilets and adjacent areas in the building and began cleaning. Media reports and parliamentary statements say at least one woman was treated for eye and respiratory irritation. Immediately after being removed from the Hemiciclo, Vázquez said she handed the spray she had displayed to security staff; she stated that the canister was empty. The investigating authorities initially left open whether the irritant found in the toilets was linked to the canister displayed by Vázquez.
Representatives of various parliamentary groups reacted, as expected, along party lines: MPs aligned with the government supported Armengol’s decision, citing security concerns and compliance with the standing orders; the Partido Popular criticised the measure and defended Vázquez’s gesture as a symbolic warning about the security situation in Ceuta. The parliamentary administration announced an internal review of the incident; the police are continuing their inquiries into the origin and release of the irritant.
The incident has reignited debate about the limits of symbolic actions by parliamentarians and the provision of security in the Congreso de los Diputados. Whether disciplinary action is taken against the MP will depend on the findings of the internal review and the police investigation.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).