The Upcoming Vote of No Confidence in Antigua: A Political Drama Unfolds
On June 19, Antigua is set to witness a pivotal plenary session, where the fate of Mayor Matías Peña hangs in the balance. Following a motion of no confidence submitted last Friday, a coalition of local political parties—Coalición Canaria, Partido Popular, AMF, and Contigo—aims to oust Peña. Supported by the signatures of nine of the 17 council members, this motion is poised to shift the political landscape in this Canarian municipality.
The Coalition Behind the Motion
The driving forces behind this motion include various major parties that have united in response to what they perceive as a significant decline in municipal services and governance. Juan Nicolás Cabrera, the president of Asambleas Municipales de Fuerteventura, has been vocal about the need for this change. He argues that the motion stems from not just service deterioration but also from repeated failures by Peña to adhere to a governing pact established when he initially took office.
In an interview on La Voz de Fuerteventura, Cabrera highlighted that this original agreement included the stipulation that there would be a rotation of the mayorship, whereby he would take over after two years. “Come May 2025, that switch never happened,” he lamented, indicating a profound breach of trust among coalition partners.
Breach of Trust and Governance Issues
The criticisms of Peña’s administration extend beyond mere promises broken. Cabrera pointed out that Peña has consistently made unilateral decisions, harming not just his party’s interests but the collaborative spirit needed for effective governance. “We agreed that any new party joining the coalition had to be a mutual decision,” Cabrera stated, emphasizing that Peña ignored this principle by adding other factions without consulting existing partners.
Moreover, Peña’s alleged disregard for the agreed-upon distribution of responsibilities has also drawn ire. For instance, he reassigned responsibilities of Festejos from AMF’s Agustín Rodríguez to Transport, “without consultation,” according to Cabrera, which has fueled discontent.
A Personalized Style of Governance
Cabrera has painted a sobering picture of Peña’s leadership style, describing it as “personalistic” and dominated by a single-minded approach. This governance style, Cabrera posits, devolved into an “invasion of competences” within various council departments, further alienating coalition partners and creating friction.
The turning point was reportedly when Peña was “expelled” from the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, following the departure of AM-CC members due to what they deemed “institutional disloyalty.” This marked a significant shift in the political atmosphere in Antigua, leading to increasing tensions.
Addressing Future Governance
If the motion of no confidence passes, the plan is to adopt a new governing structure. Cabrera would assume the role of mayor while also managing the Works and Services department. Meanwhile, Rodríguez would take charge of Sports and Historical Heritage, under the proposed framework.
“AMF is committed to continued governance if we maintain a sufficient majority in the 2027 municipal elections,” said Cabrera, signaling a desire for political continuity rather than a stint in opposition. His message was clear: “AMF was born to govern, not to languish in the shadows. It’s quite cold in the opposition,” he chuckled, underscoring the party’s aspirations.
Inter-party Dynamics and Alliances
In a further twist, Cabrera addressed the implications of this upcoming vote on AMF’s alliances with Juntos Por Pájara and Fuerteventura Avanza. He reassured that these partnerships would remain intact, as their collective goal is to fortify governance on the island.
Moreover, discussions to incorporate additional political forces, particularly with Nueva Canarias, are ongoing. Cabrera expressed optimism that such alliances could pave the way for better stability and cooperation across the island.
As the date for the crucial vote approaches, the political and public sentiment in Antigua is charged with anticipation. Will Matías Peña remain in power, or are we witnessing a significant political shift in Fuerteventura? Only time will tell.
