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The local assemblies of the Izquierda Unida and the socialist PSOE parties ratified last Tuesday, 11th August, the preliminary agreement reached between the Provincial executive of both parties earlier in the month to restore stability to the local council which, since the beginning of June has been in the minority.
The local government, comprising of a coalition of Izquierda Unida and the independent socialist ASM party was thrown into disarray after the resignation in June of two ASM councillors Augusto Gil and Yolanda Holgado, which gave the combined opposition a 10-7 majority.
According to the agreement, Antonia Muñoz will continue as Mayoress, with the PSOE providing support for major issues, without formally pacting with the United Left. According to the leader of the PSOE, Salvador Zotano, these are early days and there needs to grow a spirit of trust between the political forces, and that they will support the IU in important issues providing the actions have the backing of local technical reports. The matters of water provision and urban management will be two factors that will require continued negotiations between the two parties. ASM dumpedOne of the first consequences of this accord has been the unceremonious dumping of the remaining ASM councillors from the governing body. ASM leader, Emilio Lopez Berenguer and his deputy Antonio de Haro have been removed from their positions, and the departments for which they were responsible, have been distributed amongst the five IU councillors which now comprise Manilva's government. The casualties also include a number of political appointments made by the ASM, namely Josefa Valenzuela, Myriam Lopez and Antonio Barragan. Mr Berenguer has stated he will be very active in his opposition to this new regime.
CouncillorsThe council departments are now distributed as follows: Antonia Muñoz: Added to her current responsibilities of Security, Housing and Cemetaries are Tourism, Commerce, Promotion and Image, Health, Consumer Affairs, and Manilva Music School. Diego Diez: Along with Human Resources, Job Creation, Foreigners, Public Participation, Finance and Water, he has assumed responsibility for Agriculture & Fisheries. Transport, and Small & Medium Businesses. Diego Urieta: Currently in charge of Youth, Sports, Education, Beach and Coasts, he now takes on Planning, Environment, and Duquesa Port Relations. Paqui López: Councillor for Fiestas, Women, and Social Welfare, to these are added RTV Manilva, Culture, Carnivals and Choirs. Mario Jiménez: To his delegations of Parks & Gardens, Infrastructure, Sanitation, and Provincial Planning, are added Cleansing & Waste Disposal. |
