Santa Cruz de Tenerife Mayor Reshuffles Cabinet to Elevate Carmen Pérez

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is shaking up its municipal leadership, marking a key shift in the Partido Popular’s strategy ahead of the next election. According to Diario de Avisos, Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez has issued a decree that cements Carmen Pérez as the central figure of the party in the capital, giving her a leadership role that goes well beyond her recent appointment as head of the party list.

This restructuring significantly expands Pérez’s executive powers. Previously the head of the Development Society, she now becomes the municipal group’s spokesperson and First Deputy Mayor. Her new portfolio includes the Department of Strategic Planning—formerly managed by Carlos Tarife—and oversight of the city’s markets. By centralizing these roles, the party aims to boost Pérez’s profile and give her direct control over key economic areas, a common tactic to showcase a candidate’s management experience before voters head to the polls.

Carlos Tarife will now serve as Third Deputy Mayor, though he retains his other existing responsibilities. To balance the local government’s political structure, Tarife and Zaida Prieto have been named deputy spokespersons.

For Pérez, this move is a major milestone in her career. After transitioning from the private sector to public administration, she views this change as a chance to deepen her commitment to public service. By positioning her as the "strong woman" of the PP in the City Council, the party is signaling its intent to take a more active role in the daily management of the capital as it prepares for the upcoming election.