Albox has no mayor. Or does it?
It’s all change in a town in Almeria because currently Albox has no mayor. Or does it? The Supreme Court has convicted the current ruling mayor, Rogelio Mena, for “systematically” denying the PP opposition party access to public records.
PSOE Headquarters in Albox. Photograph ©Alan Gandy. More informationThe court has banned Rogelio Mena from public office for two and a half years. Albox PSOE immediately announced Mena’s intention to appeal the decision and he will carry on as Mayor after being sworn in on June 13 after he triumphed in the recent elections.
The court case was instigated after an allegation by the PP that procurement files and invoices, pertaining to three companies involved in the Albox recycling plant project, were held back from the PP when they repeatedly requested access to them during November 2013.
The ruling stated that Rogelio Mena “has consistently impeded the work of opposition” with regard to the head of Albox’s Partido Popular, Juan Pedro Perez Quiles.
Mena has constantly denied the allegations. He said: “This judgement is clearly wrong by giving more credibility to the accusation of an opposition that has played dirty during the last four years.”
Today (June 10), the provincial PSOE announced that Mena will not resume as acting mayor despite gaining the absolute majority in the vote in May. Secretary General of Almeria province, José Luis Sánchez Teruel, announced: “The PSOE will not allow a sentenced mayor in its ranks. Other parties should take note.”
Comment: If the mayor IS removed and not permitted by the PSOE to remain in office during the appeal… then does the baton then pass to the person who was number two in the list in the recent local elections? If that is the case, then Albox will have an Irish mayor – Maura Hillen. Perhaps someone with more experience of politics knows how that system works?
Comment #2: Apparently, if a party received a majority vote, then yes – the baton passes. Otherwise the opposing parties will clamour for control. One thing’s for sure… Albox will be worth watching during the coming week
Comment #3: Update. With the removal of Rogelio, the PSOE has now lost its slim majority – so look out for the free for all battle.
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
June 10, 2015 @ 12:35 pm
No it doesn’t, It will be decided between the remaining members of the party who will decide who will be mayor, Maura has said she doesnt want to be mayoress. However as the sentence hasn’t been finalised and Rogelio is appealing the sentence and resigning from the PSOE and will act as an independent mayor until the appeal has been seen and finalised.
a little more information on the case which wasn’t mentioned in the press, Juan Pedro Quiles would in every plenary session ask for financial information sometimes from as far back as 2005, in the court case, the financial information that he has asked for, sometimes as many as 15-20 facturas a week said files were presented to show just how much he had tried to inconvenience the secretary at the town hall. Some files were hard to access and others werent not allowed to be photocopied due to the Data Protection Act. Another point to make that the Mayor was supported by 8 of the PSOE party and a member of the PP who resigned due to conflicts with Juan Pedro Quiles who testified for the Mayor, however Juan Pedro was not supported by members of his party and had his lawyer with him. Lets hope Rogelio gets the conviction overturned because there is no way in this world would I want Juan Pedro Quiles as Mayor.
June 10, 2015 @ 12:45 pm
Thanks Clare! That makes sense.
Rogelio has been mayor for most of our time here and accomplished a huge amount. The constant barrage has been painful to watch!
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