It's all getting a bit tense here

With less than a week to go to the local elections it’s all getting a bit tense here!

Well actually it’s not. Except for the ‘politicos’. They are busy distributing leaflets at the markets and vying with each other to place their posters at the best sites.

And it’s amazing really that we aren’t more bothered. Villages of less than 2500 people will have the opportunity to vote for a new council – who’s Mayor (the Alcalde) will have significant powers and very significant funds, to direct investment into the area,  for the next four years, in such programmes as economic development; provision for the elderly; youth facilities; improving the infrastructure and planning

Here in Oria, it looks like a straight fight between the locally incumbent Socialist party of national Government (PSOE) and the main Conservative opposition (PP), though there is the opportunity to vote for a coalition of independents (The Citizens of Oria) and some Greens! The feeling is, that just maybe, this time, the PSOE may get a bit of a ‘kicking’, because of the state of the economy. However, I’ve heard that many people feel that the Alcalde has done a good job under difficult circumstances, so maybe not!

In order to secure the Barranco de Quiles vote, work has started on the renovation of the lower fuenta. It looks as if the ancient water supply and clothes washing area is being totally rebuilt, and word is, that most vecinos (neighbours) of the hamlet are really pleased about this, though they would have liked the ‘pot holed’ camino that links them to the village, to have been resurfaced first! Hey Ho! Politics is the art of the possible!

Down in the Almanzora Valley, where there are many expats, things look a little more confused. The voting situation has been complicated by the emergence of two new independent parties involving expats – concerned about the positive development of their communities, but also very much about the property situation of ‘illegal builds’ of homes. I suspect the new ‘activists’ have had little experience of Politics before, and have been driven to get involved, partly through real concern and maybe desperation. I think, as much as power, what they want is access to accurate information! Next time around, I think they will be better organised, to indentify their true alliances, and to make sure their vote counts! This time though, it will be really interesting to see how the vote is split!  Whatever, surely it is a good thing that people are trying to get involved, to stand up for their rights and better their communities!

Meanwhile the ‘fight’ for the Barranco vote continues! Another smart car, driven by a smartly suited hombre, and with the PA system ‘ablaze’ meanders down the high camino to the hamlet. In between strains of stirring ‘muzac’, we were being invited to yet another party, where the beer would flow freely, to secure our vote (now that is a good thing about Spanish politics)! …. And then, as the loud strains of Mantovani , echoed and attracted attention over the valley, the smartly suited man got out of his car, and had a wee! 

He must have been desperate - it was at least 90 seconds!

Now, that’s what I call a vote catcher!