Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 31 Jan (Europa Press) –
Regional deputy Tamara Raya disclosed her candidacy for the Insular Secretariat of the PSOE in Tenerife this Friday at 12:45 a.m. at the Socialist headquarters in the capital of Tenerife, a proposition that has been embraced with “consensus” and “La Unit”, aiming to be “strong” and tackling an island “with numerous deficiencies.”
“Today, there is a distinctly clear representation of the Socialist Party in Tenerife, a portrayal of unity. Others may have wished for a different image, one marked by conflict and anger. However, this will not be the case. Today marks the beginning of a new phase in Tenerife, working solely to advance this island through a project that we all know, as socialists have consistently done,” stated Raya in comments to the press.
She described the primary process as a “totally legitimate” tool for which “there should be no fear”, asserting that its occurrence would demonstrate that there are capable men and women within the “PSOE of Tenerife” ready to step forward. Raya emphasised that her candidacy embodies “consensus”, focusing on establishing “a robust Tenerife PSOE, clearly defining a position within the Canary Islands.”
During the announcement of her candidacy, Tamara Raya was surrounded by numerous party associates, including Senator José Antonio Valbuena, along with socialists from various groups across the island, such as Patricia Hernández from Santa Cruz, Jennifer Miranda from Granadilla, Mayor Luis Yeray from La Laguna, and representatives from La Cruz, among others.
In this context, the regional socialist deputy, now a candidate for the General Secretariat of PSOE Tenerife, highlighted that socialist women “have also strongly backed” her candidacy, which she feels not only represents “an honour” but also “a significant responsibility”, as she would be the first woman to hold the position of General Secretary of PSOE in Tenerife.
“I believe women can showcase a different vision and perspective when we are in charge of institutions, but also as part of a political formation where not only women advocate for feminism; the men accompanying me do too. They actively implement equality policies in their daily lives and prioritise women, not as mere quotas like other parties, but because they genuinely believe that women possess the requisite talent to collaborate effectively,” she expressed.
Outlook with the Cabildo de Tenerife
Concerning the role of political formation in the Cabildo de Tenerife, Raya asserted that Aarón Afonso will continue as a spokesperson in the island institution, with whom she will work “in a coordinated manner” to ensure that their opposition efforts are “what it should be, which is, constructive.” She expressed confidence that following the Insular Congress of PSOE Tenerife set for April, they can establish “a framework that allows citizens to determine what the socialists of Tenerife envision for our island.”
Furthermore, she noted that Tenerife grapples with “many shortcomings in all areas”, particularly concerning challenges related to mobility and housing, while health remains “a pressing concern”. Among the many “challenges ahead”, mobility will be prioritised, particularly since “there was a lady (referring to the island president, Rosa Dávila (CC)) who promised to eliminate queues within 90 days. Well, time has passed and now we face queues in the morning, queues at noon, queues at night, queues in the north, and queues in the south.”
The new contender for the General Secretariat of PSOE in Tenerife has not dismissed the possibility of standing for election at the Cabildo de Tenerife in two years when the island government undergoes renewal at the polls, although she cautioned, “two years is a long time.” Moreover, she plans to assess “how the situation evolves” as a general secretary with her accompanying team, aiming to present a candidate that is “as strong as possible.”
At the municipal level on the island of Tenerife, Raya has identified the goal of “recovering those mayoralties,” like that of Hernández, or through a vote of no confidence, such as with Marcos González in the port of La Cruz, possessing the “sufficient majority” required to govern, emphasising that the municipality of Arona is “imperative in that equation.”
