Pamplona (EFE).- Pamplona has from this Saturday a new mayor in the person of Cristina Ibarrola. She was the UPN candidate and has achieved 11 of the 27 plenary votes (9 from her group and 2 from the PP). For this reason, she has been chosen as the head of the most voted list in the elections of May 28, with the blank votes of the PSN.
This has confirmed what had seemed certain for days since an agreement had not been reached between the rest of the political forces. This has been the case despite the attempt by EH Bildu (8 councillors) to agree on a “four” government with PSN (5), Geroa Bai (2) and Contigo-zurekin (1). Also despite his appeal “in extremis” yesterday so that the Socialists would not prevent the Abertzale mayor’s office even if they did not accept a pact.
Finally, the PSN has voted blank, knowing the uselessness of the votes, but knowing the gesture. This meant, before the tie, leaving the mayoralty for the list with the most votes, that of UPN.
traditional ceremony
The ceremony in the Pamplona City Hall was held with a plenary room packed with guests, as well as the reception room and the press room. The ritual has followed the tradition with an initial parade inside the Town Hall that goes back to the Privilege of the Union of 1423, with maceros, timbaleros and clarineros accompanying the new corporatives to the Plenary Hall.
Initially chaired by the oldest councilor, Koldo Martínez (Geroa Bai), together with the youngest, Aitor Silgado (UPN), the councilors have been sworn or promised to abide by the Constitution. The councilors have answered in Spanish and Basque, in some cases “by legal imperative”, they have said.
Then the time has come for the election of mayor, for which it was required to add an absolute majority (14 votes). The secretary recalled that, if none of the heads of the list did not obtain it, the person who headed the list with the most votes in the elections last May would be automatically proclaimed.
The blank votes of PSN, decisive
And so it has been after Cristina Ibarrola (UPN) obtained 11 votes, and Joseba Asiron (EH Bildu) another 11, with 5 more blank votes, as revealed by the counting of the ballots out loud. It has been followed with great expectation in the three halls of the consistory and even in many other places where the ‘online’ broadcast of the plenary session has reached, including the town hall square. From there and to the plenary hall there have been both applause in favor of the new mayoress and shouts of “UPN kanpora” against it.
Elected Ibarrola, she has expressly accepted the position, to receive the collar, the insignia and the staff of command of the city. Shortly after, she herself has given each of the councilors a badge that she credits them as such.
Before the session adjourned, Ibarrola made her first speech as mayoress. In her speech, she confirmed the “true honor” that assuming this position means for her. She has also promised to work “with great care” to “be a good representative of all the citizens of Pamplona”, both those who have voted for her and those who have not, she has specified.
Ibarrola, to “make Pamplona grow”
As a letter of introduction, he has advanced three concepts that he will implement due to their importance. The first, that of responsibility, because “it is essential that we think about the benefit of people above any other type of interest,” he said. He has also encouraged everyone to “make Pamplona grow and prosper”.
The second concept is connection, since “we will be a City Council focused on talking with all the agents. The third, ambition. “We must aspire to more, to be more relevant, to attract investment, talent and tourism. I dream of a Pamplona recognized for its talent, cultural richness, sustainability and freedom”, Ibarrola has stated.
“I think it’s time for Pamplona, it’s our time, so we’re starting to work intensely for this city. I invite everyone to join us on our way ”, he concluded before ending the session.