The three party leaders (PP, CC, and ACP) in the City Council of Puerto de la Cruz, who filed a motion of censure on Thursday against Marco González, the socialist mayor since 2019, affirmed yesterday that the action taken goes beyond ideologies. They claimed to have thoroughly worked on it for months, with solid foundations and irreversible consequences, as emphasised by Alonso Acevedo (CC). This councillor also reiterated that they have the backing of the party at both regional and island levels, expressing confidence that the agreement will result in a change of government. He denied the possibility of going back, despite ongoing discussions between Fernando Clavijo and Ángel Víctor Torres to explore alternatives and potential repercussions in cities such as La Laguna, where the PSOE governs in partnership with CC.
As revealed yesterday, the allocation of responsibilities agreed upon by the new allies assigns General Administration, Internal Regime, and Police to the PP, which might be overseen by the potential new mayor, Leopoldo Afonso. Additionally, the conservatives will take charge of Finance, Public Contracting, Heritage, Human Resources, Tourism, Cultural Promotion, Social Action, Education, Youth, Animal Welfare, Costa Martiánez Complex, Beaches, Public Parking, Cemetery, Archaeological Museum, Festivals, Market, Technological Development, as well as Children, Seniors, and Disability.
On the other hand, CC will assume responsibilities for General Services, Commercial Development, Industry, and the Primary Sector, while ACP will retain its existing departments (Sustainable City, Citizen Participation, Employment, Sports, Health Promotion, among others) and also take over Equality and LGTBI+.
During the press conference held at the Tigaiga Hotel, the three parties emphasised that this is an “emergency” political pact aimed at benefiting Puerto de la Cruz, given the current state of “disastrous management” by the PSOE. Leopoldo Afonso highlighted issues such as pollution, inadequate services, lack of cleanliness, problems in school playgrounds, and insufficient police resources as examples of poor governance.
“I appreciate ACP and CC for taking this bold step, demonstrating a commitment to all our residents, and working together, irrespective of political affiliations, to advance the Port and regain the golden era we experienced in the past, which Marco González has been responsible for ruining,” stated the current leader of the local PP. Sitting amidst the other two spokespersons, a position later assumed by Hernández and Acevedo, the brother of the island’s vice-president, Lope Afonso, reiterated that “the PP is a serious, responsible party with a genuine dedication to public service and aims to revitalise municipalities like the Port, which have suffered due to the poor management of González and the PSOE.”
Subsequently, in a lengthy and politically charged address, David Hernández (ACP) emphasised that the PSOE has not implemented “a single left-wing policy in the Port since 2019. If anyone knows of any, do inform me, because we have been here. ACP continues to represent the left in this new pact,” he asserted. He attributed the rupture to the demand from the socialists to renegotiate the agreement with a clause forcing both partners to vote in unison in plenary sessions, suggesting that “it indicates they lack a democratic spirit.” This demand arose after ACP abstained from voting on two credit modifications worth almost a million Euros for the Fiestas area in the plenary session at the end of April, marking a turning point in the progressive alliance.
Hernández expressed gratitude to the PP and CC for “the most fundamental aspect, which is that they have adhered, point by point, to the agreement signed with the PSOE in June 2023. We will continue with consistent policies. We have documented major commitments to tackle issues and neglected priorities. Our aim is to persist with the work initiated this year, facilitated by this new pact that is primarily democratic and urgent. It transcends ideologies, focusing on the needs of residents rather than party affiliations.”
MAIN POINTS
In the coming days, the signed document will be made public. However, the ACP spokesperson shared some specifics, such as “revamping human resources management since neglecting council staff hampers policy implementation. For instance, the archive has been without personnel for four months.” Another agreement disclosed was to halt the renewal of expired and precarious concessions and contracts, as they become costlier and fail to deliver as intended.
Funding will also be allocated for ventures with completed project plans, such as the San Antonio renaturalisation project (dependent on the crucial support of the Island Council and the regional Government), the Plaza Europa car park, the Los Cachazos initiative, the old bus station, improvements to the vanished dock at the quay, “Calle Pelinor,” a social integration company, unique access for residents to the new swimming pool, enhancements to public transport, two social housing projects, a school refurbishment scheme, and renovations of social housing in La Vera and El Tejar.
