PP Names Carmen Pérez as Mayoral Candidate for Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Popular Party (PP) is shaking up its electoral strategy in Santa Cruz de Tenerife by naming Carmen Pérez as its mayoral candidate for the upcoming local elections. Pérez, who currently serves as a councilor for the city’s Society for Development, will replace Carlos Tarife, the party's previous frontrunner.

The change will be officially announced this Friday at a public event in García Sanabria Park, attended by national PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. This shift marks a new direction for the party: while Pérez—who has a background in the business sector—takes the lead in the city, Tarife will pivot to the Parliament of the Canary Islands, where he is expected to become the spokesperson for the Popular parliamentary group.

If elected, Pérez would become only the second woman to serve as mayor of the capital, following the Socialist Party's Patricia Hernández. Despite the anticipation surrounding her candidacy, Pérez is keeping details about her team and policy platform private until the appointment process is finalized.

The transition also involves a reshuffle in local government. Once her candidacy is official, Pérez is set to become the first deputy mayor, taking over that role from Tarife. However, Tarife will continue to manage the Public Services department until the end of the current term to ensure stability in that key area. The party hopes this move will refresh its image and better position its leadership for upcoming regional and municipal challenges.