Juan for Juan in Javea

FOR many months, insurgents within the Javea Partido Popular political party have been attempting to oust long time leader Juan Moragues in favour of their champion Juan Crisóstomo. Eventually after a bloody campaign more suited to a Midsummer Murders TV script than local politics involving death threats, La Guardia and court appearances, wryly old campaigner Juan Moragues emerged as victor by the small margin of 23 votes. A result his entrenched supporters never doubted.

However, Snr Moragues may have won the day – but not it seems the battle.

Shortly after this marginal victory, The Valencian PP head office announced that Juan Castello Pastor, a young lawyer living in Valencia had won the X Factor of Spanish politics by being appointed numero uno Mayor elect for the town of Javea – an appointment right out of the blue, upsetting the long time political equilibrium of the local Javienese hierarchy.

Immediately the long knives were out claiming that although new boy Juan Castello Pastor had been born in Javea, he hadn’t lived in the town for over 18 years and had no understanding of the needs of the community.

Snr Pastor responded by admitting. “I am aware of the up-hill struggle I have to face but I have been in the PP for a few years now and am part of the local executive as well as being involved in the internal life of the party. I appreciate the confidence that has been placed on me both by my colleagues and by the regional directors.” And added, “One thing is for sure, I may have been living in Valencia, but I have always carries the town in my heart”

When faced with the suggestion he would end up as a political puppet with Moragues pulling the strings, he said the suggestion was unfounded and they were all working together to produce a winning team list that will be made public at the right moment.

Meanwhile former PP Mayor and leader Juan Moragues, now party president, is still managing to keep his name in the limelight, if only for the wrong reasons. He has now been accused of promoting his own private business interests at the Madrid international fair for tourism Fitur.

According to a report in Levante-emv.com, the renowned politician has been advertising his property company within the confines of the official Javea town stand, designed to attract the tourist industry, not commercialism. A group of local Javea businessmen have described the situation as, “Intolerable and deeply disgusting that Snr Moragues cannot separate his public face from that of a private activity developer.”

A spokesperson for the association asked, “How is it that the present councillor responsible for tourism is allowed to promote his own business interests whilst not offering the same facilities to other estate agents and developers? “

Councillor Moragues recently declared his personal assets of around €2.7 million.

Local politics commentary by Benny Davis