The Socialist Party (PSOE) in Arona, holding the majority in the City Council, has today criticized the “clear incompetence” of the tripartite government led by Fátima Lemes (PP), which failed to spend 33.5 million Euros in 2023, as revealed by the budget liquidation from the previous year. These budget figures are deemed “outrageous” by the socialists.
Despite having fourteen councilors and twenty-five paid advisors, some receiving up to three salaries concurrently, the tripartite administration comprising the Popular Party, Canarian Coalition, and More for Arona, only managed to utilise 41 million Euros in six months. In contrast, the previous administration led by José Julián Mena, with half the number of councilors and facing strong opposition, spent 75 million Euros during the same period.
The unspent funds, as Mena highlighted, “have been contributed by the residents and businesses in Arona through taxes and fees, yet without seeing any corresponding improvements. This surplus money ends up in banks and unused reserves. Of the unspent resources, seven million Euros were allocated for social services,” he emphasized.
Mena and councilor Raquel García also highlighted the significant drop of 76% in public investment by the end of 2023 compared to the previous year, resulting in a loss of 4.5 million Euros. Additionally, the 2024 budget anticipates a 37% decrease from 2023, indicating a prioritization of events, concerts, and advisor salaries over critical infrastructure like parks, plazas, roads, and service enhancements such as waste management.
Raquel García urged the Mayor of Arona to reconsider her approach, “set aside the arrogance, take charge of the municipal government and its councilors, and review the proposed works program submitted by the Socialist Party for this year’s budget amendments. Otherwise, this administration will go down as the most incompetent in the municipality’s history, failing in budget preparation, execution, social policies, and investments. Its only accolade will be as the most costly government in Arona’s history, with councilors and advisors costing 1.7 million Euros annually.”
