Extraordinary Political Climate in Arrecife, Says Echedey Eugenio
“It is true that the lifting of objections is used more often than I would like, but surely I could find some peaks of Armando Santana’s files from when he was a councillor, and objections were raised then too.”
“This governing group is engaged in significant politics, rather than mere politicking.”
“The contract for the circus arriving this weekend at the Ginory site is still not finalised because I should have seen it, as I am the contracting councillor responsible for signing contracts.”
“The expenses for the San Ginés festivities have been in line with the third capital of the Canary Islands, Arrecife’s budget and the funding we had allocated.”
“Pedro Sánchez shamelessly visits the site of the issue concerning unaccompanied migrant minors, as he has done previously, as if nothing is happening.”
Echedey Eugenio, the first deputy mayor and councillor for Festivities and Contracts at Arrecife City Council, asserted this Monday during the premiere of the new season of “A Buena Hora” on Crónicas Radio that the current municipal government pact is exceptional, engaging in significant politics rather than petty politicking. In response to ongoing speculation regarding a clear divide between councillors from the Popular Party (PP) and Coalición Canaria (CC), as was evident at the beginning of the current mandate, he conveyed a clear message—possibly to members of the Socialist Party (PSOE) who legitimately aspire to take office—that things are better than ever. He also positively assessed the recent San Ginés celebrations, stating that they were funded appropriately for the third capital of the Canary Islands, as budgeted. He acknowledged that the lifting of objections is a legal measure employed by all administrations, even though, in his view, it is sometimes used too frequently. He chose not to engage with comments from Island Council member Armando Santana regarding these objections in the City Council, believing that Santana’s actions appear more aimed at gaining notoriety than addressing issues. Lastly, he once again criticised the attitude of Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, who has repeated visits to Lanzarote without concern for the situation of migrant minors in the Canary Islands.
– What is your assessment of the San Ginés festivities?
– Positive from the perspective of public participation. The events were full to capacity, and people enjoyed a celebration that we have revived as the capital’s festivities—a meeting point for everyone.
– Were excessive expenses incurred to bring in artists such as Alejandro Fernández?
– The expenses for the San Ginés festivities were appropriate for the third capital of the Canary Islands, Arrecife’s budget, and the allocated funds. I have heard other parties’ comments, but I won’t engage with remarks about San Bartolomé hosting almost a month of festivities or Tías having numerous concerts. They organised their festivities within their budgets, and Arrecife did the same. We certainly had a major closing concert, as we do every year for San Ginés, which the people of Arrecife deserve because it seems one only has the right to see great concerts when leaving the island.
– There appears to be controversy regarding trophies and a dinner for the teams. What is your view on this?
– You won’t find me embroiled in controversy. I was in opposition when I was a councillor; I presented numbers and documents, and the rest is mere rhetoric. If we look at spending percentages per population and budget, our expenditure is probably lower than that of other municipalities. Of course, in total figures, it’s higher, but we have a population of 70,000 while others with 15,000 have spent nearly the same.
– What happened with the trophies?
– The sporting side is not organised by the Festivities Department. It seems that in one of the tournaments, which I did not attend, the trophies for the Memorial featured images of the mayor and the councillor, and the opposition has rightly criticised this as it may not have been the best choice, especially for a memorial. Government colleagues claimed it was not their doing but rather the organisation’s responsibility, and I know no more because I haven’t had time to inquire about it.
– What about the gala dinner?
– The San Ginés Tournament concludes with an invitation dinner for the participating teams, including local and external ones. As the contracting councillor, I can confirm that the contract was not for €30,000; however, I would like to review the file, as I haven’t had the time to do so. I was away this past weekend as I took my daughter to disconnect a bit before school starts. Therefore, I couldn’t attend or check the numbers, but I find it hard to believe a contract for €30,000 exists as the opposition claims.
– Next weekend, there is another large event featuring a circus, which will cost hundreds of thousands of euros. What does CC have to do with it?
– I’ve seen discussions about it online, but I haven’t seen anything from the Contracts Department. I assume they are working on the contracting files, but I cannot comment any further. I know it’s happening next weekend, something regarding a circus at the Ginory site, but I have no additional information.
– It’s this weekend, and the contract is still not in place?
– No. I should have seen it because I am the contracting councillor responsible for signing contracts. As of today, it is not in place.
– Armando Santana mentions the need to lift objections. He states they have over 1,100 objections lifted.
– Lifting objections is a power held by mayors, but I do not typically read anyone’s pamphlets, nor will I give this gentleman any exposure. He knows what he writes and why, or who instructs him to do so; however, I will not dive into his controversies as that is what he seeks. He thrives on controversy and intrigue to gain attention, and he won’t find it with us.
– But is it true about the objections? Is there some internal issue that necessitates lifting many objections?
– No. The Intervention department carries out its responsibilities regarding files and procedures, and occasionally objections are raised when procedures are not properly executed. To lift an objection, there must be a technician who disagrees with what the Intervention department states, and the mayor is legally permitted to either follow Intervention’s criteria or contradict it. That is the process of lifting objections, which is legally defined. I acknowledge that they are used more often than I would prefer, but I could certainly highlight instances from Armando Santana’s tenure as a councillor where objections were also lifted. This is something that occurs within administrations in general.
– You mentioned that someone is directing Armando Santana. Before August, there was a rather surreal article by Armando, who is part of Oswaldo Betancort’s government, proposing Alfredo Mendoza as the next mayor. It seems he isn’t trying to hide it much.
– You may recall cartoons featuring Snoopy, showcasing a crowd with a small character jumping up to signal to the teacher where he was. That describes Armando Santana—seeking attention, regardless of how. Sometimes he proposes Alfredo as mayor, at other times he criticises, but the truth of Armando’s position in Arrecife has been determined by the voters in 2025, who placed him in opposition without any councillors even after four years in government. This speaks volumes about what the citizens of Arrecife think regarding his management of the city.
– Isn’t it a bit odd for him to approach the PSOE to the extent of proposing Alfredo as mayor considering he governs with CC and PP in the Island Council?
– No, such behaviour is not unusual for certain political figures.
– But CC has him in government.
– Knowing the individual, we are not surprised by this kind of behaviour.
– Has anyone within CC suggested that they should remove him from the Island Council?
– No, not at all. We don’t even hear him when he raises his hand for attention. He is a figure within the Island Council. The president has already addressed the motives; we hope that instead of writing opinion pieces, he focuses on working.
– How would you rate the health of the governing pact in Arrecife?
– Extraordinary. Much work has been done this summer at the City Council, not just regarding festivities. During the week of the festivities, we announced four major contracts in Arrecife, including maintenance for school centres, the municipal cemetery, and the acquisition of vehicles for the Local Police. There is much work underway, and we are engaging in significant politics, not mere politicking. Of course, we make mistakes and have differing opinions at times, requiring us to sit down and determine our direction, but we reach agreements and move forward. This yields excellent results for the city.
– Pedro Sánchez has been on holiday in Lanzarote, yet it seems he has not addressed the issue of migrant minors.
– I believe he fails to perceive the problem; he neither cares for nor worries about the situation of unaccompanied migrant minors, as evidenced by his actions. It is a constant mockery. The Supreme Court mandates definite actions, yet he does not comply. He claims he will act, allocates funds, but does not commit financial resources, and then has the audacity to visit the site where the issue exists, as he has previously done, as if nothing were happening.
– Did you see him?
– Thankfully, I did not. He is one of those figures who contribute less with each appearance and, for the Canary Islands, even less. We live in a democratic state, and while this gentleman can vacation where he pleases, I would not find him an ideal coffee companion. I don’t believe he has anything to teach us Canarians.
– It seems Zapatero is also popping up everywhere. Do you know him?
– I have crossed paths with him on occasion, but I would say he is another political figure who left little good for Spain.
– Do you think that if he continues to fail to approve the budget, early elections could be on the horizon?
– This is a government president incapable of approving a budget despite the state’s needs, which are not what they were three years ago when he entered office. Budgets are essential. We can discuss the minors’ issue, as well as Canary Islands airport problems, 75% funding issues, and regional financing, but it all seems irrelevant. He will call elections if it suits him and will not if it does not. He isn’t focused on Spain, the budget, or the people’s problems; he is solely focused on himself. If it benefits him to call elections, he will, and if not, he won’t. Perhaps it would be advantageous for him to call them now rather than two weeks later.
– Is CC prepared if elections were held?
– One is never fully prepared for elections; when they are called, we must bring everything to the table and spark our engines to start working. The feedback I receive from people on the street indicates a growing awareness of the need for a strong nationalist party, like this one, in the region.
– Are you referring to the new PIL you are working on?
– No, I mean CC, which is a strong nationalist party. The other efforts will be something else, if they materialise at all.
– Do you not trust Dimas, Óscar Noda, Joel Delgado, and the others working on that issue?
– When numerous personal interests merge, it often hinders the achievement of a collective interest. Those can be competing interests, and unfortunately, personal agendas eventually clash, leading to problems. Too many roosters for such a small corral.
