Accusation Against the President for Political Cowardice and Disregard for Socialist Voters
Maria Dolores Corujo, a congresswoman and the General Secretary of the PSOE in Lanzarote, has formally lodged a complaint with the Lanzarote Cabildo against President Oswaldo Betancort for repeatedly breaching the agreement of the Board of Spokespersons. This agreement, unanimously approved in the plenary session on 11 July 2023, stipulates that ordinary sessions must take place on the last Friday of each month at 09:00 hours.
Corujo claims that Betancort has systematically violated this agreement by scheduling plenaries at times that coincide with her parliamentary duties in the Congress of Deputies, thereby preventing her from attending Cabildo meetings due to scheduling conflicts. “My representation in the plenary is the result of a democratic mandate. What Oswaldo Betancort is doing is obstructing its exercise, silencing the Socialist Group candidate, and avoiding political debate,” she stated.
She further reminds that the approved plenary calendar was established in accordance with Article 72.3 of the Organic Regulation of the Corporation and Article 46 of Law 7/1985, which governs the Local Regime. Any alterations require an agreement from the Plenary and consultation with the Board of Spokespersons. “This is not a matter of oversight or a scheduling error. It is a deliberate and ongoing manoeuvre to render invisible a group that has equal representation to his in the Cabildo.”
Corujo accuses the president of acting “with political cowardice, avoiding public debate and using his position to hinder my rights as an elected councillor.” Additionally, she warns that this behaviour infringes upon fundamental rights, specifically the right to political participation recognised in Article 23 of the Spanish Constitution.
“He is using the institution as if it were his personal property, demonstrating a complete lack of democratic ethics. But the Cabildo does not belong to him; it belongs to all the people of Lanzarote, including those who voted for the Socialist Party,” emphasised Corujo.
The Socialist Group demands immediate compliance with the plenary agreement and insists that sessions be held at the established date and time, ensuring respect for institutional plurality and the democratic exercise of all elected officials. They warn that failure to comply will leave them no choice but to take further action.
