If there is something that Manuel Domínguez can boast of, it is the art of oratory, an essential instrument of politicians from all over the world that he masters perfectly, almost innately, and yesterday he demonstrated it again in the plenary session of his farewell as mayor of Los Realejos before a room full of people in which there were tears and much applause.
He did so after submitting his voluntary resignation on May 31 to the General Secretariat of the City Council, upon being chosen to lead the PP list in the regional elections that are held next year. The plenary session was chaired by the first deputy mayor, Adolfo González, who will take office on Saturday as the new mayor in another extraordinary plenary session, and the spokespersons of the three municipal groups intervened.
The first to do so was the representative of the Canarian Coalition (CC), Isabel Pérez Expósito, who made a strong criticism of the outgoing president, whom she reproached for having turned his government “into advertising and marketing campaigns and for having dedicated eleven years to deceive locals and strangers to climb into politics”.
“I wish everyone were like him,” they shouted from an audience that expressed its disagreement with the words of the nationalist mayor and forced the first deputy mayor to ask for signs of order and respect in the session.
Very different was the tone of the socialist spokesman, Miguel Agustín García, who confessed his appreciation despite the differences and not sharing the way of doing politics. “On the personal issue we will always wish you the best and I’m sorry, but I can’t wish you success politically,” he joked.
“A person who has won with all the support that he has done, has to have our recognition and respect even if we do not share many things in politics, among them, the way in which it has gone because I think it has not been the most appropriate. ”, declared the socialist mayor.
Finally, García asked him to “take into account the way in which the PSOE opposes, the respect it has had and has with the government group and the work it has done for the citizens of Los Realejos”, and required to do the same “wherever he is”.
The deputy spokesperson for the PP, Noelia González, praised the trajectory of Manuel Domínguez and not only as mayor but as manager and partner. His words were at all times of gratitude for the last eleven years at the head of the City Council in which he recognized his magnificent capacity for work, his management, his qualities as “a good boss” but above all things, he stressed his human quality.
Manuel Domínguez had not prepared any speech because he preferred to “speak from the heart.” He did not need it in the 28 minutes of an uncritical farewell, acknowledging some mistake, such as not having formally communicated his resignation to the opposition groups, assuming “that it was an open secret”, and the exact promise: that he was never going to abandon his people, a people of which he feels proud and to whom he thanked the trust “for helping him to pass with better marks each electoral exam he has undergone.” It should be remembered that he obtained an absolute majority during the three mandates, the last one, with 15 councilors of the 21 that are part of the Corporation.
As a good speaker, he was passionate and enthusiastic about his town, Los Realejos, “which he will never abandon and will not be able to repay for everything he has given him.” But also about politics, “which has given him the opportunity to meet wonderful people”; of the City Council officials and his family, sitting in the front row and for whom he asked for applause. “She has been the crutch in difficult times. Without them, without her support, it would have been impossible to make certain decisions,” he remarked.
Before leaving the room, the regional president of the PP kissed and hugged all the members of the Corporation, then the members of his family and finally, all those present. A new stage in his political life begins. “But don’t lose sight of me because this is a point and followed,” he warned.
