The municipal elections and autonomies of the past 28M They have made it very clear, in case it wasn’t before, that Vox is not a dictionary. The far-right green formation obtained the support of 27,076 voters in the Cabildo de Tenerife to add up to 7.12% of the total votes cast. That translates to two counselors. They are Ana Salazar and Naím Yánez. absolutes unknown to the majority, which was not an obstacle for them to votean. Ana Mercedes Salazar Astudillo, born in Venezuela, is a businesswoman and Naím Valerio Yánez Alonso graduated in Philosophy. These lines aim to publicize their profiles as well as offer the keys to explain the exponential growth of greens.
The reference in their social networks after the elections from last Sunday clarifies some unknowns regarding Vox: «Thank you all for placing your trust (in us) and allowing us to work to make Spain great again. We are especially grateful to all those who collaborated as proxies during election day. Together we keep moving forward! Vox EspañaGrandeOtraVez. Thank you”. This last slogan, that of Great Spain, which recalls other times, is the motto that has managed to attract almost 28,000 Tenerife residents.
Who are they?
The profile of the two elected councilors of Vox is the first essential step to begin the analysis of the process that has led to the growth of the party.
Ana Mercedes Salazar Astudillo was presented as number 1 to the Cabildo. This 48-year-old Spanish-Venezuelan is a businesswoman, sales representative for several firms and a Pharmacy and Parapharmacy technician. She is also party secretary in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This newspaper has tried to contact her since last Sunday without it being possible.
For his part, Naím Valerio Yánez Alonso was number 2 of the Vox candidacy for the Cabildo de Tenerife. The votes citizens They now raise him up to occupy one of the 31 councils of the 2023-2027 mandate. Yánez was born on the Island, he is 26 years old and his training is that of a graduate in Philosophy with a doctorate in Contemporary Thought. He performs functions as a family advisor and head of the department of material and human resources in an international company.
The spectacular entry of the ultra-right in the Tenerife Island Corporation has its explanation. On the one hand, the message, which has permeated certain sectors of society, including the working class in many neighborhoods.
On the other hand, it is also the product of four years of hard work. Numbers sing, since Vox was presented in 2019 and the improvement of its support in 2023 is forceful. At least in numbers. Then he obtained 8,395 ballots, 2.26% of the total. Insufficient to obtain representation and practically anecdotal and testimonial support. What has changed for this radical transformation? Many things, both internally and abroad.
One year of Executive Committee
In May 2022, the state Secretary General, Javier Ortega Smith, once approved by the National Executive Committee (CEN) ratified the appointment as president of the Provincial Executive Committee (CEP) of Vox Tenerife to Manuel Molina Cordón. Lawyer and former Civil Guard, he held the position of Provincial Manager since November 2021. He was accompanied on the board of directors by speech therapist Marta Gómez Gómez as vice president; Ana M. Salazar Astudillo in the position of secretary and the members Salvador Lucena Segura, Executive Chef, the aforementioned Naím Yánez Alonso and Manuel Rodríguez Pardo, art dealer. The proposal was to continue with the dissemination of the Vox ideology in informative meetings with affiliates, supporters and interested people throughout the towns and neighborhoods of the province. With the Spain Agenda as the valid alternative to “the disastrous 2030 Agenda, which only portends poverty and uncertainty.”
Vox presented 28M candidacies in 40 municipalities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, after the decision of the Provincial Executive Committee at the beginning of last May, later confirmed by the National. The 31 in Tenerife plus six in La Palma, two in El Hierro and one in La Gomera. With Nicasio Galván as a candidate for the Government of the Canary Islands and Ana Mercedes Salazar for the Cabildo de Tenerife. The party then claimed to have “selected the best candidates, who defend the values and principles of Vox ». The objective, “through this commitment”, was “to offer citizens a solid and responsible political alternative”. The Committee was confident of “receiving the support of citizens because it will mean a positive change in local politics and will help improve the quality of life.”
The response of the citizens of Tenerife to the Vox proposal has been positive when casting the vote. In addition to the two councilors in the island council, it will have representation in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with three councilors: Adeje (1), Arona (2), Candelaria (1), Granadilla de Abona (2), El Rosario (1), La Laguna (2), San Miguel de Abona (1) and Santa Úrsula (1).
Results of the 28M elections in the Canary Islands
Remember that the May 28 You can consult in La Provincia the results of the regional elections, council elections and municipal elections in Canaries 2023:
