By Rodrigo Padilla/Álvaro Morales.| The potential motion of censure in Granadilla against the socialist mayor Jennifer Miranda has consistently relied on the two PP councillors who co-govern alongside the PSOE, Marco Antonio Rodríguez and Bianca Cerbán, and the regional leadership of the Conservatives now deems it almost unfeasible to persuade them to alter this agreement. In spite of various efforts over the past few months, amplified by the tensions surrounding the censure in Puerto de la Cruz, this was acknowledged on Wednesday and reaffirmed yesterday to DIARIO DE AVISOS by sources within the upper echelons of the regional PP, who assert that they will persist in their attempts, yet concede they are “very pessimistic” regarding the likelihood of these councillors adhering to the directives established from the outset of the term, when they were encouraged to support Domingo Regalado (CC) as mayor, a move they did endorse following a governmental pact that the local PP did not ratify, along with the two Vox councillors.
PP sources further concede that the stance of these councillors hampers their ability to resolve the “predicament” (that’s the term used) the party is facing in this municipality, as they have an active expulsion file specifically for failing to comply with the guidelines or failing to rectify their stance.
Previously, numerous regional and island PP sources had characterised these files as “dormant.” This was a tactic to avoid hastening expulsions and aim to settle the situation amicably with the least possible repercussions, always with the goal of reinstating control over this town hall and others (such as Arico, Güímar, and even Icod, albeit with varying degrees of challenge).
Nevertheless, they admit that the party is experiencing a complex scenario in Granadilla, which could lead to several outcomes: expediting and finalising the files, forming a management committee, and seeking alternative candidates for 2027 if Rodríguez and Cerbán do not adjust their stance.
An alternative administration comprising CC, PP, and Vox does not even require the backing of the two popular representatives. The 10 CC councillors and the 2 from Vox, who according to various sources maintain their local agreement, need only one additional vote from either of the two PP councillors.
Thus far, both Rodríguez and Cerbán have distinctly indicated their opposition. However, the PP was optimistic that one of them, who expressed “more reservations,” would eventually acquiesce. Initially, all signs pointed to Rodríguez, given Cerbán’s steadfast defence of the agreement with the PSOE. Rodríguez himself mentioned to this publication that they were “working very well” with the socialists, “although I cannot predict what may occur tomorrow, especially in politics.”
Other PP sources are unequivocal that a reversal would be “impossible” as long as councillors Marcos González and Yanira González, former PP councillors who resigned amid the CC-PP administration in favour of the nationalist ticket, remain with CC.
ARICO REJECTION WE ALL NEED TO AGREE
Meanwhile, the Arico Somos Todos (AST) assembly resolved last Tuesday to reject any pacts with other parties, asserting that all of them (the PSOE and PP, who are currently in coalition, or CC) adhere to similar inadequate policies and practices.
In contrast to the Portuense Citizen Assembly (ACP), which voted 15 in favour, 6 against, and 3 abstentions in support of a motion of no confidence against the PSOE, AST clearly states its unwillingness to engage in a vote of no confidence against Olivia Delgado (PSOE), despite fundamentally disagreeing with her administration, alongside the two PP councillors she invited through a decree. They believe the state of the council “is critical for many of its employees and denotes ineffective management of numerous issues that concern residents.” However, they emphasise that AST will only act in accordance with local interests and that their programme’s focus “remains unchanged. We recognise the toll it takes on Arico, but we respect democracy, which is evident in the current misgovernance,” they assert.
In conversation with DIARIO DE AVISOS, AST spokesperson José Luis Herville stated yesterday that the decision was unanimous, declaring that they are “not a bargaining tool or a symbol” and would not engage in “any manoeuvre” to displace Delgado, even though some anticipated their support. “Today, we are firm on this and we are not altering a single word of our statement. The matter of Arico is resolved in Arico.”
