Augusto Gil Prieto and Yolanda Holgado

Th Mayoress, Antonia Muñoz, whose left wing Izquierda Unida party has governed in coalition with the independent ASM (Manilva Socialist Group) since 2007 is said to be in emergency talks with her party to find a way forward and retain control of the local government.

In a joint declaration of resignation, registered at the Town Hall on Friday, 5th June, Augusto Gil, councillor for Commerce, Tourism, Promotion and Image, and Yolanda Holgado, councillor for Culture, Choirs & Carnivals and the Municipal School of Music, have cited a disillusionment and loss of confidence in the current government leadership as their reason for resigning.
In their resignation letter they have stated that the decision has not been taken lightly and has come after a lot of deliberation. They went on to criticise the leadership of both Antonia Muñoz and the leader of the ASM Emilio Lopez Berengeur and declared that they did not wish to compromise their principles and beliefs by continuing to be part of that regime.
In the 2007 elections the Izquierda Unida took 5 of the 17 seats with the PP, PSOE, and ASM each taking 4, which gave the IU the position of power to form a coalition, which they did with the ASM giving them a 1 seat majority on the Town Council.
Their resignation means that the two councillors will stay on the council as independents and could conceivably pact with a coalition of the PP and PSOE which would given them a three vote majority and lead to a change of government and a new Mayor.

In the meantime the IU must try and form a coalition with either or both of the opposition parties.