A NEW LEADER PROMISES A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE PARTIDO POPULAR IN MANILVA

You are originally from the North of Spain, what brought you to Manilva?

Andalucia and more specifically Malaga, is a paradise, not only for its sun, sea and climate, but also its people, this is what drew me to leave Asturias in the North West of Spain for Manilva, where I have been welcomed with open arms, and where I run my business in the communications and graphic arts sector.

What have you learned over the years that has prepared you for this role?

My entry into politics is not totally accidental, I have always been linked to politics in Asturias,

An interview with José Manuel Fernández, PP candidate for Manilva, by Gary Beaumont

WITH the local elections looming, Manilva is currently experiencing a resurgence in the fortunes of the town’s centre right Partido Popular.

This is all thanks to the appointment of local businessman, José Manuel Fernández, as the party’s mayoral candidate at the May 28 polls.

For many years, the PP at provincial and regional level have been puzzled as to why, in a municipality that votes 60 to 70% right or centre right at regional or national level, that this hasn’t been reflected at the local elections, concluding that it was more a case of the candidate than the message.

The subsequent search for a viable candidate led the Provincial PP to identify a suitable leader, which led Estepona’s mayor, Jose Maria Garcia Urbano, to invite José Manuel Fernández, to put together a team to contest the May 28 elections.

I caught up with Jose recently and asked him about his entry into local politics, and his vision for the future of Manilva.

working for a number of parties, including the PP, in a publicity and communications capacity.

I have also held professional appointments in various institutions and public bodies, which is just one of the factors that led José María García Urbano, Mayor of Estepona, to look to me to revitalise Manilva, a responsibility to which I hope to respond with hard work and enthusiasm to improve the lives of its residents.

What is your view of the current political situation in Manilva?

Manilva has remained stagnant in comparison to our neighbours on the Costa del Sol, a fact that can be laid directly at the door of the poor and ineffective management of a series of coalition governments and the personal interests of those who have lined their pockets rather than look after the interests of its people.

Manilva must make the most of its privileged position on the Costa del Sol. To do this it must get aboard the Partido Popular juggernaut, the vehicle that includes Estepona, Marbella, Fuengirola, and Torremolinos, the blue wave of opportunity in Andalucia, and put an end to populist and outdated policies.

How do you and your team differ from those of your opponents?

As a relative newcomer to Manilva I see it with a fresh pair of eyes. I don't accept that the cur- rent situation is how it has to be because that has always been the way.

I don't have extended family connections or an entrenched network of colleagues that have to be considered when making political decisions or appointments, which means I can work solely with the interest of the municipality and its people in mind.

As I said, those who have spent years keeping Manilva at the back of the train of modernity, employment, quality of life or security, are the ones who once again choose to sit on their hands.

All have made politics a way of life with no other source of employment. These are the usual faces, with the same policies, playing musical chairs in the council chamber.

The Partido Popular team boasts new blood, drawing on members with a wide range of experience and professional skills. Included on the team in a prominent role, is Dean Shelton confirming that our programme is designed for everyone and especially for the large community of foreign residents, but with a genuine commitment, not empty words. It is a fundamental objective of mine and of the entire team that accompany me on this adventure that should lead us to local government.

What is your vision for Manilva?

Manilva, Sabinillas, Puerto de la Duquesa, Castillo and our urbanisations are an asset that we must foster through sustainable growth. We have everything we need to improve this beautiful place, all we require is good political management to place Manilva where it deserves to be and no longer the ugly duckling of the Costa del Sol.

Estepona must be the mirror in which to look at ourselves, not to copy, but to emulate and take advantage of its experience, its synergy of having become a benchmark among Spanish and even European cities. PP Manilva wishes to improve the quality of life of all those who live here, of those born here and of all of us who have chosen this place as home, through projects that will provide solutions to problems with parking, cleanliness, and security.