Marcos Antonio Rodríguez, a councillor for the Popular Party in Granadilla de Abona, states that he signed the motion of no confidence against Mayor Jennifer Miranda due to the interference from the PSOE which he believes “divides and fractures” the Popular Party within the Council. He further mentions, “I cannot govern alongside transfugas of the PP,” referring to his party colleague, Bianca Cerbán, who has been collaborating with Granadilla’s PSOE and its mayor. He adds concerns regarding the reduction of personnel and the delay in deploying the committed human resources essential for the effective functioning of local public services, ecological transition, and the projects outlined in the budget.
Since June 17, 2023, the Municipal Government of Granadilla de Abona is composed of 11 PSOE councillors and two from the PP. A plenary meeting will take place on the 26th to vote on the motion of no confidence filed by CC, Vox and Marcos Antonio Rodríguez from the PP. This councillor has been accused by the PSOE and the PP’s number two, Bianca Cerbán, of being disloyal, with accusations that he fails to provide explanations or respond to calls.
“Last week, I offered my resignation from the party as I felt isolated, fighting against 12 PSOE councillors (including my party colleague),” explains Rodríguez. He contends that he will stand firm “because I have a commitment to my residents, whom I shall not abandon.” He reiterates: “If I did not govern alongside transfugas in 2023, I certainly will not do so now,” making reference to councillors Marcos González and Yanira González, who are now with CC but were part of the PP until the last mandate. Eighteen months ago, their presence hindered the CC-P-Vox pact which is now presenting the motion against the PSOE, scheduled for a vote on the 26th. Both will have to resign the following day, a condition that facilitates the current agreement.
Marcos Rodríguez states, “The PSOE’s strategy, their lack of loyalty to the partner and that the number two of the Popular Party is siding with the Socialist Party is a betrayal of the agreement, even if they now wish to paint it otherwise.” He recalls his penultimate warning to the PSOE from the 5th, when he relayed to their spokesperson, David Santos, “that they should not regard the PP or me as a government partner, but more like a socialist councillor. In my case, I am not.” He asserts, “I told him, if this breaks down, it is because of my partner,” Bianca Cerbán. “You’re fine as long as there are no limits. Once I reminded them that I am a government partner and that PP matters are settled by the PP without interference, I became the bad guy,” he added.
Rodríguez illustrates that the PSOE, through its approach, has effectively fractured the PP within the Granadilla Council, which now has two councillors and five trusted staff. He notes that just last Wednesday, following the registration of the motion, the mayor ordered the dismissals of only councillor Marcos Antonio Rodríguez and his three trusted aides, while Bianca Cerbán and her two trusted employees retained their positions. “This is political, not personal, though they are making it seem to be,” he adds.
Support for Miranda
Marcos Antonio Rodríguez proudly identifies himself as a member of the Popular Party, asserting: “I am not a traitor; I will leave when the PP no longer wants me, although Jennifer Miranda did offer me a role in the PSOE if the PP expelled me through the proceedings against me and my partner for reaching an agreement with her and the PSOE in 2023.” At this juncture, he addresses the issue of transfuguism: “It is inconsistent to accuse Marcos González and Yanira González of being PP transfugas for three months of campaigning, while refusing to govern with them, only to now do the same thing.”
The PP councillor whose support is crucial for the motion of no confidence to succeed at 12:00 on the 26th insists, “I am not here to make a living in politics, but to advance my project, which shares many aspects with the PSOE.” This sentiment is echoed in the municipal budget that was approved on the 3rd. “I am Marcos Antonio, the grandson of Puñefla, and I simply wish to push forward with the project I presented,” he remarked.
As an advocate for the management of his councils— “the areas that were functioning best were those of the Popular Party,” he claims—he is resolute that the PSOE and Jennifer Miranda are causing a rift within the PP group in Granadilla de Abona: “I have endured a challenging journey to govern. What they have done is an act of disloyalty.” However, he is resolute in seeing his project to completion: “I will strive for Granadilla de Abona to become the next capital of southern Tenerife.”
Despite accusations of ignoring calls, Rodríguez maintains that the last two entries on his phone from the mayor were on the 5th, “after I asked her spokesperson to submit my resignation,” and on the 10th, “when he was communicating with the PP.”
Vox aligns with CC
Regarding Vox’s role in any future municipal government, Marcos Rodríguez is succinct and straightforward: “I will not align with Vox. The Popular Party aligns with the Canarian Coalition; Vox aligns with CC. That enquiry should be directed at José Domingo Regalado (a nationalist and candidate for mayor in the motion of no confidence). I am liberal and centrist. As the Councillor for Environment and ecological transition in the last mandate and until last Wednesday, I have advocated for my municipality to develop a climate action plan and sustainable energy. I will persist in this endeavour. I shall not engage in ideological or climate change debates.”
Marcos Antonio Rodríguez continues to serve as President of the Public Company Sermugran and CEO of Waste, Cleaning and Maintenance until the Board of Directors decides otherwise. He recognises he faces criticism and hostility via social media, which he claims to accept: “I do not wish to be embarrassed, although I know I will be targeted personally and also my family.” Rodríguez dismisses the notion of “moral superiority” held by “those who claim the opposite commitments mean both.” In this instance, “the commitment yielded to Jennifer Miranda on behalf of my number two (Bianca Cerbán) carries more weight than what was promised to me upon her joining the PP candidacy. That is my responsibility.”
Is there any chance that the motion of no confidence he signed could pass? “No. I will not govern with a defector from my party. That choice would signify the end of the PP in Granadilla.”
