Manilva’s governing team, made up of Compromiso Manilva and Con Andalucía Izquierda Unida, has appeared to respond to the «serious statements» made by José Manuel Fernández’s Partido Popular, denying the accusations and reaffirming its unity and commitment to the municipality.
The mayor, Mario Jiménez, began the response, stating that the local government is «very focused on working and moving our municipality forward with policies that help people improve their lives.»
Unity and Long-Term Commitment
The mayor denied any hint of division and reiterated the strength of the governing pact, which runs for six years.
«We want to make clear the unity and cohesion in this team so that we can keep working. It is a pact that is not just for two years, but runs for six years. And that is the line we are working on, to deliver things that will last over time, with a medium- and long-term outlook.»
Responding to the PP’s offer to join the government, the mayor was categorical, reaffirming his loyalty to his partners:
«That call to break with my current governing partners, I do not understand politics that way. When I give my word, it is to keep it, without deceiving, without betraying… We are going to complete these two years of the term with the partner we currently have, and we are going to plan for this to last for the next four years.»
Mario Jiménez rejected the Partido Popular’s proposal, insisting that «institutional loyalty has to come above everything else«.
Housing and the Political Debate
Regarding the criticism of the housing project, the mayor took up the challenge, although he acknowledged the complexity of the problem: «One of the big problems is housing. It is not going to happen overnight, but we are putting all the pillars in place to make it happen.»
For his part, councillor Juan Carlos Morejón thanked the mayor for his trust and directly attacked the Partido Popular over its political attitude:
«The place for debate is the council meeting. I know they are avoiding it, that they do not like debate, that they fear us. That is natural. I would also be ashamed to defend the Partido Popular’s policies in our municipality today. There are no doctors, there are no firefighters.»
Morejón accused the PP of «running away» from the council meeting and then «putting out a video in which their political opponents cannot defend themselves«.
Accusation of «Liar» and «Traitor»
Councillor Morejón did not hesitate to lash out at the PP leader in Manilva.
«Of Mr Fernández I can say that he is the only liar, the only person who has deceived the people of Manilva, his voters and his former governing partner. Let us not forget that he is a traitor and that he does not show his face.»
Finally, the governing team urged the Partido Popular to set aside confrontational politics and to pitch in for the municipality.
«If the Partido Popular wants to look after the residents of Manilva, let it pitch in, let it help us, and its help in reaching other administrations is welcome if it has influence, and if not, well, the nine of us representatives will be here to move this town forward.»
