Councillor, spokesperson for the Municipal Socialist Group and representative in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Patricia Hernández, describes herself as a politician who advocates for citizens, particularly those who, like her, reside in the city’s neighbourhoods. In 2019, she became the first mayor in the history of Santa Cruz, a role she held until 2020, when a motion of censure presented by CC and PP led to the appointment of the nationalist José Manuel Bermúdez. Now, in opposition, she conducts rigorous oversight of the local government, although her goal is to assume the mayoralty once more to “realise the palpable desires for change,” she asserts.
-What evaluation do you make of the year and a half of the current municipal government team?
“The assessment remains consistent with those of previous administrations. The current government team continues to squander opportunities, stalling investments and returning funds to Europe that they subsequently claim are unavailable for implementing changes in the city. Thus, my view is that we have a mayor who is unambitious, lacks transformative projects, and has been unable to deliver on the electoral programme since 2011.”
-Why do you suggest that the current mayor is unambitious?
“He is a fatigued mayor. He believes it, and so do his allies, especially considering he mentioned some years ago that he wished to leave the City Council. Furthermore, his partners restrain him, as the PP conditioned their coalition agreement on his continuing in office, anticipating a succession; what they failed to consider was their defeat in the elections. Moreover, Bermúdez’s frequent self-congratulatory remarks about his enthusiasm are a response to an undeniable truth: he is unambitious.”
-Is it beneficial for a city that the same mayor remains in power for an extended period?
“Mr. Bermúdez is the longest-serving mayor of Santa Cruz, yet there are no transformative investments undertaken by the council itself, because up until Los Charcos de Valleseco, I must remind you that I signed off on it as mayor, and it was executed by the Port Authority. Thus, we lack projects executed by the council under Bermúdez’s extensive mandate, irrespective of whether he wins subsequent elections. He boasts of renovations, such as installing a railing or replacing a lawn, but the reality is that there are no transformative projects.”
-You assert that the government team is inactive. What is the basis for this claim?
“One only needs to observe how long it has taken to implement the playgrounds we approved; as of today, not all of them are operational. It has taken an additional four years for their execution since they were handed over to the City Council by the architect. These instances speak volumes about their ability to innovate, manage, or provide solutions to the chronic mobility issues of Santa Cruz, which extend beyond just vehicles entering or exiting or the shortage of parking, which is a significant issue in areas like La Salud, Los Gladiolos, Salamanca, or El Toscal. It also affects residents’ mobility when leaving their homes. When I envisioned the elevators for La Salud as mayor, I was mocked, yet to date, only two have been installed. The same applies to public housing and developments in María Jiménez or Cuevas Blancas that commenced while we were in power.”
-In your view, is the housing crisis in the municipality being adequately addressed?
“This government team has failed to tackle the housing crisis in the city, as even the current initiative for social rental corresponds to funding from the government of Ángel Víctor Torres in 2022. Therefore, I ask how much money the City Council is dedicating to the construction of new housing and how much it has invested during Bermúdez’s lengthy tenure. I assure you, it is no more than two million euros of its own funds.”
-The PSOE frequently raises objections to the municipal government. Is the situation truly so dire?
“They are irritated by being told their mistakes, yet from the Municipal Socialist Group, we vote in favour of more initiatives than against them in the resolution segment. Nevertheless, there are cases we denounce due to their inaction or slowness; conversely, we support various proposals we find valuable. The issue is that they do so little that funds must be returned or municipal budget allocations for housing are neglected. This is a scandal, and from the opposition, also the majority group elected by the citizens, we merely reflect their poor political performance.”
-Do you feel isolated in your role as an opposition member?
“We do not feel isolated as we are supported by the citizens of Santa Cruz. Currently, we have more councillors than they do, and more than in prior terms. The concerns we raise coincide entirely with those voiced on the streets. The role of the opposition is to both advocate for actions and to promote them. We have numerous proposals, although many are dismissed, only for them to later attempt to co-opt them as their own.”
-If the PSOE agrees with many municipal government initiatives, why frequently pursue them legally?
“To fulfil our oversight duties, the law dictates how and to what extent we can act, but Bermúdez, disliking opposition, tries to suppress it. Up to now, we have lodged four administrative complaints and have won three, acknowledging that the mayor has infringed upon the fundamental rights of myself and other socialist councillors. He has repeatedly been found in violation of a fundamental right, which is political participation, and moreover, he acts not against us but against the citizens we represent, denying them access to vital information. We will continue to file legal complaints if such behaviour persists, such as compelling us to vote without proper documentation, which we often do out of a sense of responsibility, yet it is ultimately entirely unacceptable and against the law.”
-One of the latest complaints from your group addressed the recent appointment of Juan Ramón Lazcano (Cs) as director of Santa Cruz Verde 2030. Do you still assert this was a predetermined appointment?
“We were ridiculed and accused of being fortune tellers, primarily by Councillor Matilde Zambudio, when we raised this issue, but the reality is we knew long before that position was advertised that Lazcano would be appointed, as he openly declared it. Clearly, this reflects the remuneration of the motion of censure that the Mayor’s Office granted to José Manuel Bermúdez. However, I firmly believe this appointment will be nullified as it is currently under appeal, and it is not being pursued by the PSOE.”
-Are you implying that José Manuel Bermúdez has settled an unresolved political obligation?
“With Lazcano’s appointment, he has addressed the motion of censure, yet what remains is that he has not honoured the trust bestowed upon him by the council, which stemmed from the support he received through the coalition, not from the electorate. Therefore, the commitments Bermúdez made to the citizens who cast their votes for him are truly his obligations. The promises I made in 2011 and 2015 remain unmet, nor has the cycle lane from Añaza to Las Teresitas been completed; theRevitalising Public Spaces
Rehabilitation of the bullring; the El Toscal swimming pool and sports centre; the Tíncer sports centre and the Cuesta Piedra sports centre. Along with daycare checks; gym checks; the five Youth Centres; the roofs in all public schools, and much more. “Promises made in 2011, reiterated in subsequent years, for which he has not been able to justify.”
-Is the current local administration incapable of implementing projects for the city?
“I believe it is either a lack of knowledge or a lack of desire. They have had ample time and legal authority, all of them. Thus, it is primarily an issue of personal reluctance or ineptitude. Time and again, I have called for stronger action to ensure that the contractors in this city fulfil their obligations and that more severe penalties are imposed, as has occurred, for example, with the cleaning contract in this city or with Emmasa. Ultimately, what Sacyr was required to return, after taking it improperly from Emmasa’s funds, is now charged to us, the citizens, through increased water rates that exceed the amount that should be reimbursed.”
-If you had the chance to be mayor once more, what would have been your priority for Santa Cruz?
“When I was elected in 2019, I indicated that one of my key objectives was to reclaim the funds from Las Teresitas, which was accomplished. Another important aspect was enhancing mobility, incorporating lifts and play areas. The housing issue was crucial for me, specifically in assessing the status of housing projects and making adequate budget modifications to swiftly address this challenge. I believe that administrations, not just the City Council, must elevate their own investments in housing and collectively agree on a percentage aimed at new developments. Thus, housing would have been one of my foremost concerns had I occupied the Mayor’s Office during this term.”
-Do you consider yourself the town’s mayor?
“Many still refer to me as such, in my neighbourhood or during the walks I undertake. I take this with pride, feeling that they recognise I advocate for them, carrying their issues to the institutions while others cater to the elite and see to different interests. I have always resided in Ofra, and whether in my neighbourhood, the Town Hall, or in Parliament, I remain the same. One of my obsessions was for people in the suburbs to feel they belong in Santa Cruz, without this sentiment being limited to just the central area. This will only be accomplished by extending infrastructure, facilities, and services to the entire city.”
-Do you envision yourself holding the mayoral position in Santa Cruz again?
“Yes. I will be standing again as a candidate for Mayor because I have the desire to do so, and I will seek my party’s support in this regard. We won the last elections, and notably, it was the first occasion we surpassed the Canarian Coalition in both votes and councillors, having achieved victory in all districts apart from the central zone. Moreover, we did this in a less-than-favourable context for the party, making the vote highly considered. Therefore, I have the ongoing task of realising the aspirations for change prevalent in Santa Cruz, which are clear to see. Citizens are weary of the same old routine or the notion that their place of residence diminishes their opportunities, rights, benefits, and access to facilities. People are exhausted by this and, above all, by a current mayor who is disengaged, lacking a clear agenda and any real motivation.”
-Is the PSOE the answer for Santa Cruz?
“I recognise that many individuals do not support the PSOE, and yet, despite this, they chose to vote for me in the recent elections. Therefore, I believe that currently, my party in Santa Cruz is perceived as the sole option for change, because we are genuinely the only ones opposing the status quo.”
