The current mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, the socialist Marco Gonzalez is still hopeful that the motion of no confidence presented by the PP, CC, and their partner ACP can be thwarted. However, he believes this can only happen if the bases of CC and ACP manage to persuade their councillors to retract the motion. In an interview with the newspaper, the mayor, who narrowly missed an absolute majority by 14 votes, emphasises his desire to form a pact with ACP and denies ever meeting with Alonso (CC). He acknowledges the need for his party to make a statement, stating that “The PSOE must demonstrate to CC and PP that we are not a wildcard.”
González also reveals that he has not had discussions with the mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, but he stresses that the issue is not about trading one municipality for another. He believes that the socialists, who co-govern with CC in Aguere, could exert pressure on the nationalists to reconsider their stance towards Puerto de la Cruz.
Regarding the political situation, González insists that the PSOE must present itself as a strong and reliable government formation, rather than being seen as a wildcard for other parties. He emphasises the importance of maintaining alliances and not compromising the party’s values for short-term gains.
The PSOE, ACP and the Left in Puerto de la Cruz
The spokesperson for ACP, David Hernández, claims that true left-wing representation in Puerto de la Cruz is embodied by him and his party. He challenges anyone to provide examples of progressive policies implemented by the PSOE since 2019. In response, González argues that left-wing politics goes beyond policy measures and involves the overall city model. He criticises Hernández for his lack of ethical standards and accuses him of hypocrisy in his political dealings.
From a progressive perspective, his actions have focussed on “embracing a city model that promotes tolerance, with policies supporting the LGTBI community, gender equality, innovative projects like including gender perspectives in local budgets, empowering urban women, and highlighting the importance of women in society. Approving the initial Equal Employment Plan, which was not achieved during his tenure as the Councillor for Human Resources, but that was launched by the PSOE. Numerous equality policies have set benchmarks on the left and have been and continue to be implemented. From a gender perspective, initiatives include work on virtual environments and educational experiences in learning institutions.”
Significantly, he highlights the work in social areas, “especially during the challenging times of a pandemic. We have exemplified left-wing policies by providing support and aid in such extreme circumstances, far exceeding what the council did when under right-wing administration. Increasing financial aid, developing social exclusion employment strategies, boosting budgets for social and animal welfare, and securing various agreements are clear indicators of our commitment. Despite efforts to collaborate with the housing plan and new regional regulations, lack of support from the Urban Planning department has hindered progress. Requests for information have gone unanswered, preventing land availability for the Government of the Canary Islands.”
Common misconceptions about Celebrations and their unwavering commitment to culture
Moreover, beyond the stereotypes associated with festivities, there is a staunch defence of cultural policies. Despite an initial allocation of 800,000 Euros in this area, it pales in comparison to the 3 million in Los Realejos or 2 million in Icod (two municipalities with the most extensive fiestas in Spain). “Our cultural policy is progressive, instilling a culture of continuous learning and education to foster freedom. Culture has been a pivotal factor in shaping the city, now recognised for its cultural achievements, increased participation, and notable data on unemployment, public and private investments, and hotel occupancy even during off-peak seasons in tourism. Sustainable development is a core focus, enabling investments for future growth. Investing in culture during the pandemic has been crucial, reviving the Martiánez Complex as a central cultural hub and re-establishing ties with the César Manrique Foundation.”
He expresses hope that the impending motion of censure may not succeed, relying on the support of the ACP and CC party bases and voters – parties that have been losing ground to the PSOE. He expresses surprise at Hernández’s decision and questions the ideological shift towards co-governance with the PP and CC after a motion of censure, which he believes contradicts his core principles. While expressing disappointment about current events overshadowing the city’s positive achievements, he remains hopeful that the values and beliefs of the people will prevail over personal agendas promoting censorship.
He also reveals his disappointment at the focus shifting from the city’s recent successes, such as hosting the Teide trophy and cultural events like Veranos del Taoro, to personal conflicts and political turmoil.
