Arona Political Tensions Rise as Opposition Criticizes Lemes Administration
Arona politician Luis García has criticized Mayor Fátima Lemes’s minority administration, citing stalled housing projects and concerns over the governing coalition's alliance with the far-right ahead of the 2027 elections.
Arona’s local government is currently facing significant political tension, defined by shifting alliances and intense scrutiny from the opposition. As Luis García, spokesperson for Más por Arona, recently told Diario de Avisos, the local political climate has been unstable since the governing coalition collapsed in 2023, leading to the current administration under Mayor Fátima Lemes (PP) and her partnership with Vox.
García, who is positioning himself as his party’s candidate for the next election, disputes the reasons given for his removal from the local government. He argues that the mayor’s justifications lacked evidence and that his dismissal was a strategic move to curb his party’s rising popularity rather than a response to poor management. He also expressed concern over the current minority government’s alliance with the far-right, which he believes threatens the social cohesion of Arona, a municipality known for its diverse population of over 130 nationalities.
García is highly critical of the current administration’s performance. He claims that progress on housing has stalled, citing a lack of budget allocations and the abandonment of projects he helped initiate, such as the municipal housing office and land acquisition for ICAVI. He also raised concerns about the Culture department and the Board of Trustees, noting that legal objections under the current leadership have exceeded 1.2 million euros. For García, the administration can no longer blame the "inherited legacy" of previous governments, as he believes three years is enough time to judge their own policy impact.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the party is taking a pragmatic approach. While no formal negotiations are underway, García is open to forming a progressive bloc, provided it is built on clear agreements that prioritize public services and housing. However, he has drawn a firm line against working with the far-right. He insists that any future cooperation must put the well-being of Arona’s residents first, especially as he believes the quality of life in the municipality has significantly declined under the current leadership.