The PSOE managed to achieve a motion of censure to dismiss the current mayor of Requena, the popular Rocío Cortes, who governed in a minority with eight councilors precisely after breaking with the Requena and Aldeas Party (PRyA) in August.
The one who led the council between 2015 and 2023, the socialist Mario Sánchez, took over the reins this Tuesday, having now accepted this formation, in the midst of a crisis due to the effects of DANA in the province. from Valencia.
Although Requena is not the worst-hit town, since Utiel – in the same region – was the hardest hit, some of its 25 villages and farmlands continue to suffer from the effects of the floods. After the resumption of public transport and the reopening of schools and institutes this Monday, the gradual return to normal came up against a political movement which also dismisses Cortés as president of the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces.
The motion of the PSPV-PSOE and the PRyA, announced on October 21, was justified by the “borderline situation” of a “completely paralyzed” council, the “absolute lack of capacity and interest to govern” and the “total lack of initiative to demand investments and carry out work” of the PP. The two Vox advisors voted against.
The coalition government agreement, which is expected to last until June 2027, envisages the creation of councils for the eight advisors from the PSPV and the three from the PRyAwith Joaquín González as first deputy mayor.
During the municipal plenary session held this Tuesday, during which a minute of silence was observed for the victims of DANA, the new mayor, Mario Sánchez, justified – in the face of criticism from the people – that the legal deadlines did not allow them not allowed room for maneuver.
“We know that this is not the time for superfluous debates and, if we are here today, it is because the date of this motion of censure was fixed by law when we presented it ago fifteen days. It is a date that cannot be delayed and the law does not allow another motion of censure to be presented at a later date,” he said.
“What are we doing here?”
Same argument used by González (PRyA), who defended that his party is not at the service of any national political formation. Its objective, he stressed, is “to guarantee the stability and governability of the City Hall, which does not happen today with a minority government and with a party which lost the elections and which is the second political force”, in reference to the PP. .
The one who until today has led the municipal corporation, the popular Rocío Cortes, described the plenary session as a “real absurdity” given the situation in the province. “It is not necessary, the Government at the same time declares the area catastrophic and we must help our neighboring municipalities,” he stressed. “Really, I don’t understand. Seriously, what are we doing here? “Are we aware of what happened?” he asked.
While acknowledging that he may have made mistakes during his year and a half in office, he dismissed the fact that he “didn’t work.” “You saw the capacity to manage this disaster, all the organizations recognized it,” he criticized the new government partners. “Of course it wasn’t the time, it’s not parties or colors,” he said.
