As is often the case, the censures rely on the councillors (their positions are non-transferable), and there can never be a vote of no confidence if there are insufficient councillors, no matter how much the respective parties might attempt to orchestrate it from above. In light of the agreement between CC and Vox to alter the existing government of Granadilla, following a similar effort in 2023 to prevent the ongoing alliance between PSOE and PP, the only feasible method of overturning control of this crucial municipality in the South of Tenerife (which encompasses the Reina Sofía airport, the industrial port, and a burgeoning population now totalling 65,000) hinges on one of the two representatives of the popular party, Marcos Antonio Rodríguez and Bianca Cerbán, being amenable to such a move. Senior officials from both his party and CC are making efforts in this regard, and as Rodríguez himself pointed out to Canarias Ahora, “they will undoubtedly persist,” but, “for the time being, we have not been contacted.” He also emphasised that the local administration “is functioning exceptionally well, and we are not contemplating any alterations; however, I cannot predict what may transpire tomorrow, particularly in politics, which is never static.”
The conservative spokesperson, along with the other PP councillor, have been suspended from their party membership due to their choice in June 2023 to support an accord with the socialists, which resulted in Jennifer Miranda becoming mayor, contrary to their party’s directives (which obliged them to install Domingo Regalado from CC as mayor, alongside the two VOX councillors). This decision was unexpected to many, while for others, it came as no surprise, especially those aware of the challenges faced by these councillors in renewing an agreement with Regalado’s nationalists.
Speaking to Canarias Ahora on Monday, the second deputy mayor reiterated that “in politics, one can never anticipate what may happen tomorrow,” yet, at present, “we are not entertaining this notion, and the party has not contacted me to suggest otherwise.” Furthermore, he relates the unpredictability of politics to the nature of life itself, stating, “for instance, in 2010, I experienced the onset of a stroke, and one can never know what the future holds.”
In his view, “perhaps the current speculation regarding a potential no-confidence vote stems from our recent ceremonial dressing of Manuel Domínguez (regional president of the PP) in the vice-presidency of the Government, for which we even captured and shared a photograph while we remain suspended. However, what is paramount is that I will always align with the PP and will consistently support my party. The effectiveness of the government in collaboration with the PSOE has, in truth, been beneficial for us. There exists a significant contrast in management with CC, and in our first year, we have put practically all principal projects out to tender, notwithstanding the fact that we cannot establish pacts with defectors,” in reference to former popular councillors Marcos and Yanira González, who later joined CC.
“I am known as the perreta councillor, yet I can assure you that there is nothing formal regarding a no-confidence motion; both Bianca and I are exceedingly satisfied with the current agreement. I cannot predict what will occur tomorrow, but I also believe that maintaining one’s word holds great significance, especially in politics. In actuality, we find ourselves in a state of ambiguity concerning our status in the PP, and we are uncertain what the future holds in that respect. Time will tell, but something quite unusual would need to happen for us to find ourselves in that predicament. Of course, it is not the same to serve as a delegate councillor compared to the previous term (in which I commenced my political career in 2018), yet I am now afforded greater opportunity to fulfil my role; the relations are exceptionally positive, and my chief objective remains to execute the entire local programme of the PP: that is my principal aim—to see through all our projects.”
Rodríguez expressed surprise at the uproar generated within the municipality due to the information circulating about the “attempts”, “surveys”, and “maneuverings” in the PP and CC from above to instigate changes in governments such as those in Granadilla, Arico, and, to a much lesser extent (albeit the PP makes efforts to conflate all scenarios), Güímar. “In the past, it would take me three-quarters of an hour to run errands, as I would converse with numerous neighbours, but now it takes me three hours,” he remarked.
Moreover, he is certain that “CC and Vox have already brokered an alternative government in 2023,” suggesting that they have reached an understanding concerning a no-confidence vote if they garner sufficient support (which fundamentally relies on at least one of the two PP representatives). “It is evident to me that CC’s sole avenue for expansion in this context is to absorb the right-wing parties. They previously endeavoured to do so with the PP, with Marcos and Yanira, but that attempt failed. Their only recourse now is to assimilate that right-wing vote; they did not succeed with the PP, and now, they are attempting with Vox, whose councillors, during council sessions and in day-to-day activities, almost resemble CC councillors, similar to what occurred in Teguise” (where their only representative, Ginés González, facilitated a governance arrangement with CC and PP, ultimately transitioning to non-affiliated status while continuing to manage).
