And Antonio Olivera leaned into the ear of the Victorious Angel and whispered with his velvety forked tongue: “We have to get into the domes of the bosses once and for all.” The Angel, who has a pure heart and does not know the wickedness and ignominy of the world, replied frightened: “But we must respect the internal electoral processes of business organizations.” The forked tongue reassured him. “Of course. I take care of this personally, for pleasure, like someone who plays dominoes or makes macramé». And the Angel looked at the language for a long time and found that it was good.
It was already unsatisfactory enough that Pedro Ortega, Minister of Economy in the Government presided over by Fernando Clavijo, is going to succeed Manrique de Lara as head of the Canarian Confederation of Entrepreneurs. In the presidential environment it was not considered good news. But Ortega is a close and cordial professional whom Torres has known for many years: the Pastas La Isleña factory, where Ortega began his successful career as a business manager, is installed in Arucas, the president’s small homeland. Perhaps he was courteous and understanding enough to understand the needs and wishes of the Government. But what about Tenerife? For business purposes, Tenerife is still very far from Torres. Precisely one of the hypothetical functions of Olivera was to serve as an introducer of the Angel in the business elite of Tenerife, but he has not done so, because a relative presidential ignorance suits the deputy minister to preserve his political value and his margin of action. And suddenly an opportunity arose that seemed unbeatable and he went to work on it.
José Carlos Francisco, president of the CEOE of Tenerife, could not stand for re-election again. The elections were scheduled for next fall, but Francisco decided to bring them forward. He did it –according to what is insisted around the CEOE– because Olivera generously offered him the presidency of the Economic and Social Council of the Canary Islands. The successor in the candidacy would be Pedro Alfonso, who had already secured Francisco as general secretary of the employers’ organization. José Carlos Francisco and Antonio Olivera know each other well, of course. Much more than fine. The young Olivera –with an academic record enameled with matriculations and outstanding marks– even worked in a Francisco company for several years. Everything seemed predictable until anomalous movements began to be detected in mid-February. If you dig a little, the surprise disappears. Jorge Marichal, president of Ashotel, was promoting a candidacy whose figurehead was Victoria González, financial director of Grupo Chafiras. The hotelier longed to return to the CEOE, from which he had been expelled for his millionaire problems with the Ministry of Finance. He wanted to return, make amends, be recognized again, sacramented and applauded. And the phone calls to businessmen began. And not only from Marichal. Also from psocialist headphones. A full-fledged campaign in which the blessed Social Democracy asked for the vote for the list endorsed by a tireless progressive like comrade Marichal. Such was the telephone noise that it led to a meeting between Torres, Olivera and Francisco, in which the still business executive clarified that he preferred that the Economic and Social Council be deactivated and that businessmen be allowed to vote in peace. And the mobile phones, in effect, stopped urinating pressures and promises. The elections were held yesterday and Pedro Alfonso won by a wide margin. The alternative candidacy announced that it will appeal to the courts. It will not be an easy mandate. Marichal breathes furiously from his wound. And the PSOE – or just a Vice Ministry of the Government? – does not abandon the idea of breathing for Marichal’s wound.
