A public official was involved in a controversy for attending an event in «pyjamas»

Mercedes Gonzalez Fernandezthe general director of the Civil Guard of Spain, was at the center of a controversy after attending a tribute event to the agents who fell in service in – according to what they reproached him on social networks – «pajamas».

The incident occurred on November 3, in Madridwhere the institutional event was held to pay tribute to the members of the security force, with a special mention to the civil guard Carlos Francisco Bellidowho passed away this year.

«His sacrifice is the greatest testimony of the vocation and commitment to the security and freedom of Spain.Our gratitude is eternal. His memory, our duty,» wrote the official account of X of the Civil Guard.

Mercedes González Fernández was involved in controversy over the choice of her outfit at a Civil Guard event. Photo: X/Jusapol Basque Country.

The 50-year-old official, who is a journalist and socialist politician, generated outrage on social networks for the outfit she chose to attend said event: a green sweater combined with white and green checkered pants.

For many, the choice of said outfit is in line with the dress code usually worn by public officials, predominantly green, as is the official uniform of the Civil Guard. However, for others, like the writer Lucía Etxebarria«the general opinion is that He went to the event in his pajamas Primark».

This was questioned by Etxebarria in his X profile, where he shared an image of González Fernández. In another publication, he maintained that the general director receives a salary of 135.000 euros per year. «I say that it was enough to buy a black suit, a white shirt and black pumps,» he said ironically.

Etxebarria was not the only one who expressed criticism. The union Jusapol Basque Country qualified González Fernández’s clothing was «shameful». «Then you see the civil guards, each one with a different uniform, and you see the discredit of this institution in socialist hands,» they criticized in a publication in X.

“It was extremely inappropriate and showed a terrible lack of respect for the institution.” “I would say he didn’t realize it and came in his pajamas.” “He forgot to take off his pajamas.” “What a shame about this lady. How little respect he has for the Civil Guard corps«men and women who give their lives to make this country a safer place where you can live freely,» were some of the criticisms that users raised on social networks, and that the medium Voz Populi collected.

From journalist to key figure in the Civil Guard: a journey through his career

The director of the Civil Guard is a prominent political figure in the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE). Born in Madrid in 1975, González Fernández has a degree in Journalism and a specialist in communication of public and political institutions.

During her career, she was an advisor to the Municipal Socialist Group in the Madrid City Council and the Socialist Parliamentary Group in the Madrid Assembly.

Mercedes González Fernández, the general director of the Civil Guard of Spain. Photo: Instagram/Mercedes González Fernández.

She also served as Director of Communication of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), councilor of the Madrid City Council, Government delegate in Madrid and national deputy in the Congress of Deputies.

She assumed the position of general director of the Civil Guard on two occasions: first in 2023, for a brief period of four months, since she had resigned to assume her seat as a national deputy, and then in September 2024.