Juan Antonio Yeguas was the first person to present himself in an election. His neighbors in Churriana de la Vega (the town where he was born 35 years ago) gave 2,233 votes for the PSOE party, which included him as an “independent” at number six. The ballots were sufficient for the artist, a musician, painter, and specialist in Islamic ornamentation, to be allowed to sit in the municipal plenary session. Yeguas was the winner of negotiations. He lost his connection with the PSOE and none of the candidates for City Council were able to get an absolute majority. He broke the rules of his group and abstained from the vote that elected Antonio Narvaez as mayor. With the support of Ciudadanos, He was accused by the Socialists of being a turncoat. The messages, which arrived on social media networks a day later, and later posters with his photograph, as well as the threats and insults that were posted to them, reached him via Facebook.
In front of a blue folder, he reconstructs the past weeks. It contains dozens of papers and photographs that document the expletives on Facebook. He also has a few photos of posters he found in the streets. His face is highlighted with the motto “the Unworthy” which explains that he took the votes from the PSOE for 2,796 Euros per month and sold them to PP. He insists that his is not a turncoat, as he was never associated with the PSOE.
According to his story Manuel Lopez Gabaldon “el Lanas”, the number one candidate on the list, suggested that he be considered for the candidacy. He is young, well-informed about orchestras and culture, and would be a good fit for the role of Fiestas delegate councilor. Juan Yeguas says that they gave it to him.
According to him, two of the posters are located in different parts of the municipality.
Juan Antonio appeared before Civil Guard on Monday to protest the “insults, threats and insults” via social media. As it appears in the diligence report, phrases such as “shits” like him should be hanged. Notifications of physical aggression. He wishes he had “cancer.” Delinquent, corrupt, and some other accusations – all according to his testimony- in profiles “members the Socialist Party”. Even claiming that his vehicle’s window has been broken and that firecrackers were set off at his house, he also claims that the PSOE is “fostering hatred” towards him. The PSOE is accused of “fostering hatred” against him. This has been translated into harassment that “has not stopped” since June 16. He said, “They put posters upon me as if they were a criminal, and they accuse (…)of it I am experiencing continuous, daily harassment but I am more concerned with my work, which I am dedicating my life to,” in an interview with IDEAL.
It was time to talk about the future political direction of the City Council after the 26M elections. He was not there, nor were two other PSOE councilors, in negotiations with Ciudadanos for a final government agreement. He felt “displaced.” They also gave him the Department of Consumer Affairs and Civil Protection. This was not in keeping with what they had promised him at the start: Parties. This delegation would be in the PSOE’s hands, but not theirs, according to the plan they approved.
He weighed up the split with the Socialists over two days until it became clear that he would abstain at the investiture plenary sessions from which El Lanas would theoretically -that was what the negotiations were aimed at – come out as mayor. It was then that Yeguas’s votes were irrelevant, and that the scheme of councils which stirred up the churrianero would be nullified. The PSOE had been going to govern until the day before the inaugural session. However, that Friday, June 14, saw the orange formation change its course and call the PP candidate.
It was noon. It was at noon.
It was a morning marked by Yeguas’s abstention and the surprise of his fellow ranks, the Socialists. His position was crucial in the election for Narvaez, who with the support from Cs would have also been mayor. In a statement to the media the PSOE denied the purchase of the councilor. It also stated that his whereabouts are unknown. Yeguas claims it is false. He says they asked him for an appointment, but Yeguas was at the beach. Yeguas had warned them about the trip and summoned them to meet “whenever they want”.
Through photos posted to social media, he left evidence of his beach trip through photographs that he took with his partner. They began to exchange homophobic insults.
The mayor reports that the artist returned to the Town Hall upon his return to ask for his passage as a non-attached councilor. Narvaez spoke to Yeguas about his desire to become a Fiestas councilor. Narvaez stated that the alliance would be positive, a sign of openness.
In addition to the arguments made by the mayor, it is important to note that the PP, along with him, would add an absolute majority, without relying on Cs for full implementation of the initiatives. This is especially true when one considers that there are disenchanted ex-populars who could threaten the government. The mayor requested Ciudadanos include Yeguas into the Government scheme. However, the two orange mayors declined and declared the agreement with PP void.
Yeguas was elected deputy mayor. This, according to the alderman, does not mean an increase in his remuneration as a delegate counselor for Fiestas: 14 payments totalling 2,796 euros. Yeguas assures that he will continue to be a non-attached city councilman. The PSOE is planning to bring the case before the prosecutor, as the anti-transfuguismo agreement was breached and the alleged sale of a councilor took place.
