The challenge posed by the faction backing José Antonio Valbuena, a senator for the Parliament of the Canary Islands, as an option to replace regional deputy Tamara Raya as the new island secretary of the PSOE Tenerife has remained merely a challenge. According to investigations carried out by this newspaper, the former Portuense and past congressional representative is not only seen as a potential consensus candidate to lead the party from April onwards, but is also likely to take on the nomination to preside over the Cabildo of the Island in the May 2027 elections.
Tamara Raya and her supporters will present their candidacy for the Insular Secretariat this Friday at 12:45 at the headquarters of the Socialists from Tenerife. This day marks the commencement of a period to propose candidates ahead of the congress on April 4 and 5, which will close on Monday. Sources close to this matter indicate that while another affiliate or group member could emerge, it is anticipated that such an option would struggle against the momentum behind Raya’s name, which has garnered widespread support, ultimately positioning her as the consensus candidate.
In fact, contacts within Valbuena’s circle suggest that, although they initially considered proposing a rival as a spontaneous alternative after the spokesperson in the Cabildo, Aarón Afonso, and the mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, exhibited defeats, as well as doubts regarding Mari Brito and the low support for Gustavo Matos, it became evident by Thursday that the current regional deputy enjoyed overwhelming backing from the factions. Indeed, nearly unanimous support was gathered, although there were reservations about potential primary outcomes should an alternative candidate emerge.
Resolved dilemma
With Tamara Raya’s resolution, PSOE Tenerife and Canarian addresses the significant dilemma that existed prior to, during, and following last weekend’s regional congress, especially clarifying numerous uncertainties concerning the 2027 municipal candidacy, although that aspect is not entirely settled just yet. Nevertheless, many consulted believed the strategy suggested by Matos (an island secretary who relinquishes that candidacy) was far from ideal due to difficulties in collaboration with CC or PP, unlike the existing PSOE partnerships in La Laguna or Granadilla, for example.
Given these circumstances, and recognising her experience, Raya is viewed as the ideal candidate to challenge Rosa Dávila (CC) and Lope Afonso (PP), as well as her electoral opponents.
