The current mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, the socialist Marco Gonzalez, still holds onto a flicker of hope that the planned censure by PP, CC, and their current partners ACP, will be overturned. He believes this can only happen if the bases of CC and ACP manage to persuade their councillors to reverse the motion. Gonzalez, in an interview with Canary Islands Now, expressed regret for falling short by 14 votes from an absolute majority that could have been crucial for the Port. He also acknowledged the need for his party to prove itself: “The PSOE must demonstrate to CC and PP that we are not a mere wild card.”
González clarified that he has not engaged in discussions with the mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, emphasising that it’s not a matter of exchanging one municipality for another. He suggested that the socialists, who share power with CC in Aguere, could exert pressure on the nationalists to reconsider the Port issue. When asked if he should adopt a more assertive approach, even resorting to “shouting,” he maintained that any action should not be staged. He stressed the importance of retaining the Mayor’s Office of Puerto de la Cruz, given the strong support the PSOE enjoys in the region.
“I have discussed with Ángel Víctor (Torres) and Pedro Martín, and I feel fully supported by colleagues. However, the PSOE must demonstrate its strength. We cannot be a mere pawn, useful only when needed by others,” he asserted. González also highlighted the significance of the PSOE establishing itself as a reliable governmental entity, rather than being seen as a mere bargaining tool for other parties.
Regarding the situation in La Laguna, he stressed the need for discussions to be initiated with Pedro Martín and Ángel Víctor at the party level. González underlined the importance of standing firm and avoiding municipal governance becoming a matter of negotiation. He emphasised the need for a proactive stance, especially in addressing issues similar to those faced in 2015, where a potential censure by PP-CC was averted through regional and local pacts with the socialists.
“We must demonstrate that we are a significant player in potential governmental alliances. It is crucial for us to show that we are not easily swayed and that we have a clear vision for the future,” he reiterated. González urged CC in the Port to reconsider the censure motion and collaborate either by forming a coalition with the PSOE or by stepping aside to reevaluate their local strategies. He also stressed the need for CC to demonstrate autonomy, particularly vis-à-vis the PP.
The PSOE, ACP, and the “true” left in El Puerto
The ACP representative, David Hernández, maintains his stance that he is the sole leftist voice at the Port. His party challenges anyone to present a progressive track record by the PSOE since 2019. Hernández is confident that with a PP mayor and a coalition with CC, he will be able to advance his left-leaning proposals. In response, González argues that left-wing politics involves the city’s model and not just measuring actions. He criticises Hernández for lacking the credibility to give lessons, especially given his shift towards the right by supporting Leopoldo Afonso of the PP as mayor. González also calls out Hernández’s ethics and morals, citing his negotiation of the censure motion while questioning others’ alliances.
According to González, “there is a fundamental aspect in left-wing policies: honesty and transparency,” qualities he believes Hernández has not displayed.
When discussing his progressive initiatives, González highlights his focus on a city model founded on tolerance, along with policies supporting the LGTBI community, gender equality, and innovative ventures. He mentions the approval of the first Equal Employment Plan initiated by the PSOE and delves into various policies promoting equality and social welfare.
González also emphasises the strides made in social welfare, particularly during the pandemic, showcasing their commitment to supporting the community. He mentions increasing financial aid, developing employment plans to combat social exclusion, and enhancing social and animal welfare policies. Despite facing challenges in receiving support from certain areas, González’s dedication to promoting social welfare and equality remains unwavering.
Fiestas Stereotypes and the Ongoing Defence of Culture
Beyond the stereotypes surrounding Fiestas, González staunchly defends his cultural policy. Despite the initial budget discrepancies compared to other municipalities, he highlights the progressive nature of investing in culture to enhance education and freedom for individuals. González notes the city’s recognition for its cultural policies and efforts towards sustainable development. He also points out the strategic investments made in culture during the pandemic, contributing to the city’s present and future growth.
González predicts that Hernández won’t introduce any new left-leaning initiatives, as he had the autonomy to do so in the past. He questions the execution of Hernández’s policies despite receiving substantial funding. González also criticises the collaboration between ACP, PP, and CC, highlighting concerns about labour rights. He asserts that their administration has maintained financial stability without the need for further borrowing.
Furthermore, González addresses doubts surrounding the island’s aquatic sports centre, attributing its progress to his persistence and advocacy. He mentions overseeing complex projects like the Taoro hotel and Botanical Garden extension. González suspects that the censorship motion aims to sideline him.
González remains optimistic that there may still be a change and the vote of no confidence will not go through (something highly unlikely). He relies more on the hope that the supporters and voters of ACP and CC, “parties that have been losing votes in favour of the PSOE,” will persuade their councillors rather than on the councillors themselves. He concedes that he did not anticipate Hernández taking this action and, in such a scenario, he believed that his assembly would reject forming a coalition with the PP and CC after a vote of no confidence, “which is what some of his followers consider more logical based on his ideology. David has politically harmed himself. A fabricated narrative was spun because there are no valid reasons. The urgency he displays matches the urgency we could have had to expel him, which we didn’t do because we always believed in this partnership, the natural one. He didn’t, whereas I can still look him in the eye and assert that I never conspired with CC to remove him. We have been loyal, and I have been focusing on governance while he met with the PP and CC, with whom he had previously criticised and sued. All we did was provide them with a document to address the disagreements since March. Perhaps I have been naive because I have faith in people’s values, even though it seems absurd to suggest setting aside ideologies to govern; it’s like someone cutting off my head.”
He also expresses disappointment because, “at a time when we are the city at the forefront, for instance, with the Teide trophy or hosting cultural events like Veranos del Taoro, some prefer, for personal reasons, to only discuss this vote of no confidence.”
