The former mayor of Guadalajara and future candidate of the PSOE to regain the mayoralty, Alberto Rojo, has expressed concern about the poor state of the city, stating that the locality is subject to the actions of a "lazy" government that is currently "living off the achievements" of what he believes was his good management during the four years he led the capital’s City Council.
In an interview with Europa Press, he noted that he does not want to be "catastrophic," especially in a city "full of opportunities and potential." However, he believes that the government led by Ana Guarinos has "lost its way" after "clearly losing the elections" and "embracing the far-right to govern."
A municipal government that is "living off the achievements" of the previous socialist administration or the "regional city projects" that, in his opinion, were undertaken by the Castilla-La Mancha government.
After questioning if there are any projects that have originated from Guarinos’ administration, he has accused the mayor of claiming credit for advancements that are not her responsibility, which he deems "childish."
He mentioned initiatives such as the health center in Los Valles, the new residence in Los Olmos, the new Fire Station, the parking lot next to the bus station, renovations at the zoo, or developments in the historic center, projects that the former mayor attributes to himself.
"Guadalajara needs to be revitalized, a vitality that is diminishing due to Guarinos’ government, which lacks ambition and is more concerned with criticizing political opponents than with governance," emphasizes Alberto Rojo, adding that "when a person focuses on their enemies, it shows a lack of leadership."
Alberto Rojo believes that Guadalajara "has lost its growth and business expansion with Guarinos’ arrival," after the PSOE administration "created over 3,000 jobs" by attracting reference companies.
All this after in 2019, when he took office as mayor, "no one bet on the El Ruiseñor industrial park," but managed to secure 1.7 million square meters after being stalled for twenty years.
He also takes pride in being able to "promote the Transport City," achievements that are not being recognized in terms of business expansion.
TRUNCATED PROJECTS
One of the projects he emphasized is the Story House, an initiative of "great interest from a cultural and tourist perspective" alongside the artist Carlos Santisteban.
A project that Guarinos’ administration is now trying to undermine by not including the Children’s and Youth Literature Seminar.
"Guadalajara is known as the city of stories and is recognized in many parts of the world for the storytelling explosion that takes place every year with over 46 uninterrupted hours narrating the story of life through tales," he stated.
As another strategy started by his administration and now disrupted, he mentioned the revitalization process of Guadalajara’s historic center, along with the revitalization of the neighborhoods.
"We brought culture and sports to the neighborhoods, but now there is a return to centralization. Only the culture that the government team likes is promoted, which is not inclusive," he warned.
He also mentioned established events like Fescigu, moved to Azuqueca de Henares, or the Slow Film Festival, which also relocated to Cabanillas del Campo, not to mention musical events like ‘Despicumple’ centered around the iconic Guadalajara band Despistaos.
These initiatives are now "slowing down," as well as the implementation of the Low Emission Zone, raising concerns about the risk of losing European funds associated with this strategy. He also noted that the municipal government tends to take credit for the few successful projects in the city.
Meanwhile, the PSOE will continue to use municipal action to bring initiatives to the council regarding "infrastructure, cultural activities, or sports initiatives."
For instance, in the April council meeting, they will propose "providing a parking area for the new health center in Los Valles to be operational in the coming months."
"We are focusing on important proposals relating to infrastructure, economic growth, historic center development, a cultural policy that is inclusive, ambitious, and free from sectarianism, promoting sports through municipal schools and as a healthy lifestyle, as well as neighborhood-focused acupuncture initiatives and infrastructure that are crucial for their development," he added.
"LAZY" GOVERNMENT
Reflecting on the municipal government’s work, he believes that the council members are "a bit lazy," citing the example of them "letting go" of 2.5 million euros in training funds.
"They are giving up an economic amount with explanations that are a mockery to the citizens," laments Alberto Rojo. "I am concerned about this lazy government as a whole."
To conclude, Alberto Rojo also expressed regret over the missed opportunity after Ana Guarinos’ City Council rejected the regional project to establish the City of Cinema at the San Francisco Fort when everything was set to implement this initiative.
He mentioned that if they had accepted, the building would have been "rehabilitated" by now, which was essential. He also questions why the Mayor of Toledo, who is as much of a PP member as Guarinos, accepted to host this project, using this as an example to highlight that the rejection by the Mayor of Guadalajara is purely due to her political "sectarianism."
He now hopes that the regional government’s revised proposal, which involves establishing a Vocational Training Center on these premises, will receive the support of the municipal government. "We are talking about 4,000 young people being trained on that campus, bringing social and cultural dynamism to the city."