The PSOE is attempting to persuade Aaron Afonso to head the party in Tenerife as general secretary, replacing Pedro Martín, who announced his resignation from re-election during the meeting convened by the Insular Committee last Saturday. The current spokesperson for the socialist group in the Cabildo has not ruled himself out as a candidate; however, he has postponed a decision until next week after the Regional Congress of the Socialist Party, which is set to occur from today until Sunday at the Magma Arte & Congress (Adeje).
Aaron Afonso was included in the initial roster of candidates, alongside Luis Yeray Gutiérrez – the mayor of La Laguna – and Mari Brito – the president of the Canarian Federation of Municipalities (FECAM) and mayor of Candelaria, who almost secured the position in 2017. Yesterday, she mentioned that “she will need to speak after the regional congress,” although “so far, no one has contacted me.” Both are prominent figures in the PSOE on the island with significant public stature.
The regional and insular leaders of the PSOE agree that Afonso is a unifying figure
The commitment from the regional executive, led by minister Ángel Víctor Torres, indicates that he is a unifying candidate for the island’s executive, a quality attributed to Aaron Afonso – an expert who has been confirmed by all sources consulted by the media. He stated that, as the Regional Congress approaches, Now is not the time to discuss the General Secretariat of the PSOE in Tenerife. In his comments to Radio Club Tenerife, he did not explicitly express his preferences for the position.
Timeline
Tenerife’s socialist party has 11 days to clarify matters, as from next Friday (31) Until 12:00 on February 3, the window for submitting candidacies will be open. The approved timetable stipulates that from February 3 to 10 is the period for gathering endorsements; the proclamation of candidates will take place between the 10th and 12th of next month. This day will mark the start of the campaign, which will conclude on February 21. Following this, the vote will take place, which would enter a second round on the 27th if no candidate achieves over 50% of the votes. The appointment of the PSOE Secretary General in Tenerife will occur on February 28.
Alternative options
The meeting this weekend at the Regional Congress is crucial as it serves as the platform where all parties involved in the unforeseen resignation of Pedro Martín will convene. Martín indicated that he does not feel sufficient support from either the Directorate or the Regional Executive of the PSOE, as communicated to the Insular Commission. This gathering should pave the way for consensus.
Gustavo Matos, the current vice president of the Canary Islands Parliament and a member of the PSOE regional leadership, was one of the proponents of maintaining a dialogue “to preserve the unity of the party on the island.” He is optimistic that “we will reach an agreement” and expressed that “I’m available, you can count on me.” His name has also been mentioned as a potential leader for the socialists in Tenerife: “All I have stated is that I am available, which does not imply whether I will stand as a candidate or not,” he reiterated.
Along with him, there is also José Antonio Valbuena, who will not seek the position but would accept it if asked as a consensus candidate.
Who is Aaron Afonso?
The son of Francisco Afonso, a civil governor who tragically perished in the fire that struck La Gomera on September 11, 1984, Aaron Afonso is contemplating a leadership role within the Tenerife PSOE. His decision not to run for council in the 2027 elections is a significant factor, as it reflects Aaron’s ambition for a secondary political position.
Being a cousin to the Vice President of the Cabildo, Lope Afonso (PP), and the mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Leopoldo Afonso, Aarón Afonso González holds a degree in law from the University of La Laguna and has been a career official in the Superior Corps of Administrators for the Public Administration of the Canary Islands since 2004. His biography reveals that in the regional government, he has served as the general director of the Public Function (2011-2015), Minister of Presidency, Justice and Equality (2015-2016), and as head of the Selection Section of Statutory Personnel within the General Directorate of Human Resources of the Canarian Health Service (2017-2018). He has also been the head of the Historical Heritage Administrative Service (2018-2019) and the Insular Director of Coordination and Support for the President of the Cabildo de Tenerife (2019-2023).
Aarón Afonso’s name receives broad endorsement from various groups across Tenerife, according to the socialist sources consulted. From today until Sunday, their representatives are set to congregate in Adeje under the leadership of Ángel Víctor Torres, the general secretary of the PSOE in the Canary Islands. Discussions will centre around the necessity to form agreements that will maintain party cohesion in Tenerife, where, under Pedro Martín’s tenure, it stands as the political force with the greatest representation in municipal councils and the winner of the Cabildo elections in 2023, despite it not governing.
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