The June 19th regional elections, which gave Juanma Moreno Bonilla an absolute majority, were the beginning of a race that will end at the close of next year (or earlier), when all institutions of the country will be in place. If there are no early elections, citizens will vote for the new council corporations at the end May. Although there is almost one year left, parties have already begun to make their plans to get the best results, given the Andalusians’ results.
The spokespersons of political parties are happy to repeat the concerns of Ramon Fernandez–Pacheco regarding Almeria’s capital. Carmen Mateos is a city councilor who is not attached to the Podemos.
Mateos told IDEAL she is involved in the creation of an “exciting, powerful project for these municipalities” with a group Almerian citizens representing sectors such as culture and trade unionism.
The councilor chose to keep the name of this coalition secret because it is still being formed. However, given the trajectory taken by the former mayor Podemos it is expected that it will have a significant social and progressive cut.
It is not surprising, however, that the councilor was caught in the crosshairs by the purple formation after abstaining from voting against the municipal budget, which was prepared by the PP Government Team with Ramon Fernandez–Pacheco head. Podemos was disassociated from the decision by a press release alleging it had not “consulted or approved” its vote with the Circulo de Podemos of Almeria or the local leadership.
“Firm and Final”
Mateos stood by her conduct as Almeria’s councilor at all times. In Podemos, a process internally began that would take approximately one year and culminated with the “firm, definitive” expulsion from the party councilor in February 2022. So, Podemos lost the possibility to have its own municipality group in Almeria as a result of her being part of the non-attached councilors.
Mateos, who was speaking in the plenary session during which his decision to become non-affiliated was confirmed, stated that he had a “very clear conscience” and felt free. He gave a speech in the plenary on March 14 in which he stated that he would continue “a municipalist work line” and that he would pursue a “policy based upon dialogue and agreements with the defense of Almeria’s interests before partisan interests>> in this year and a bit.
He now confirms that he intends to extend this year for four more, if Almeria’s people vote for it. This is a betting move on the project that he will soon announce. It is September, which is the beginning of work on the electoral campaign for the municipal election. This will, of course be done within the established deadlines.
